Should Jasprit Bumrah Be Part Of India's XI In 5th Test? 'We Don't Want Him...'
The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy is set for a tasty finale with England leading 2-1 and India desperate for a win to end the tour on level terms and defy the pre-series predictions. The fifth and final Test starts from Thursday and the biggest question that India face is whether they stick to their original plan of playing Jasprit Bumrah for three Tests. The pace spearhead has already completed his quota for the tour, but the team may be tempted to include for another game given they are in a must-win situation to avoid series defeat.
The 31-year-old played in all five Tests of the Australia tour and suffered a back injury which pushed him out of action for nearly two months. He ended up missing the ICC Champions Trophy.
Former India cricketer WV Raman says the team management needs to be cautious and only Bumrah can tell how much load his body can take.
'See, people must understand one thing: when a fast bowler comes back after a gap, and also if the gap has been created by injury, it will take some time even for the bowler to know how much workload he can take," Raman told Hindustan Times. 'In a Test match or in a space of four weeks, in a space of six weeks, whatever the time duration may be, that is likely to play. It will take some time even for the bowler to understand or to realise how much workload he can take."
'So, I think in the case of Bumrah, it will all depend on what his body can stand. We don't want him to break down for a longer period again because he tends to do too much work," he added.
Raman sympathised with fast bowler Anshul Kamboj who returned bowling figures of 1/89 on Test debut in Manchester. Raman feels that the rookie pacer was unlucky for having to deal with a flat surface on which plenty of runs were scored
See, the thing is, it's very unfortunate. It has been a fantastic wicket. Now, let's face it, India has got a huge total in the fourth innings, which means the pitch is obviously really good for batting. And Anshul Kamboj obviously has perhaps been unfortunate in that. He's been sort of given a break on an absolute flat track. And I think, see, let's face it, no cricketer is good only for one game," Raman said.
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