Ex-IND Keeper Wants 'World's Best Bowler' To Play 4th Test: 'Heard Rumours...'
Deep Dasgupta feels Jasprit Bumrah should play the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford from July 23-27. Bumrah has taken 12 wickets in 4 innings.
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta believes that Jasprit Bumrah should play the fourth Test against England, scheduled from 23-27 July at Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester.
Bumrah has been one of India's top bowlers in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, despite featuring in only two out of three Tests. The Indian pacer has claimed a five-wicket haul in both matches, securing 12 wickets in 4 innings at an average of 21.
Before the series began, India's chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed that Bumrah would play only three Tests due to workload management. Bumrah is making his comeback in the series after recovering from a back injury sustained in Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2025. Ahead of the England Tests, Gautam Gambhir stated that Bumrah would play three out of the five Tests and reiterated this stance after the loss at Headingley.
Will Jasprit Bumrah Play 4th Test?
Following the third Test defeat, Dasgupta feels that Bumrah's inclusion in the next match is essential. Speaking to Star Sports, the former India wicketkeeper mentioned hearing rumours that Bumrah would play the first, third, and fifth Tests. However, Dasgupta believes that with India trailing 1-2 in the series, the Manchester Test is now crucial.
'Jasprit Bumrah in the fourth Test, absolutely yes. I've heard rumours that the plan for him was to play in the first, third and fifth Tests. But now, when India are 1-2 behind, the fourth Test becomes very, very crucial. You would definitely want the world's best bowler to play," he said.
The third Test match ended on July 14, and the next clash is scheduled from July 23. The former wicketkeeper feels the gap is sufficient for Bumrah to rest and be ready for the upcoming match.
'There is an eight-day gap between the two Tests. It remains to be seen whether the fifth Test is still relevant after the fourth Test, but the relevance of the fourth Test is considerable," Dasgupta added.
After defeating India in the third Test, England currently leads 2-1 in the five-Test match series.
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