Jasprit Bumrah, India's pace spearhead, has confirmed that he will only be able to manage playing in three of the five Test matches against England in the upcoming series. This decision is primarily due to workload management concerns, as he aims to prioritize his fitness and longevity in the sport. The five-Test series is set to commence on June 20 in Leeds, marking the beginning of India's new World Test Championship cycle.
Bumrah's return to red-ball cricket is highly anticipated, especially after a prolonged injury layoff. He last played international cricket in January during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, where a recurring back injury forced him to the sidelines once again. The injury concerns are not new, as he also missed a considerable amount of cricket in the past due to a stress fracture in his back.
In a recent interview with former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik on Sky Sports Cricket, Bumrah clarified his availability for the series. While he confirmed his participation in the first Test, he stated that the team management is planning for him to play three Tests, with the possibility of more depending on his workload and the match scenarios.
"Plan on the go. 3 Test matches is what I'm looking at," Bumrah said. "Obviously, the number is not decided. First (Test) is definitely on, that is going to happen. Rest, we will see how things are, what is the workload and scenario... but yes. 3 Tests is what I can manage at the moment."
Bumrah's decision to limit his appearances stems from his desire to avoid exerting himself in the longest format of the game. This careful approach also played a significant role in his decision to decline the offer of Indian Test captaincy. He explained that he wouldn't want to be in a situation where he dictates playing only three Test matches as captain, as it would not set a good example for the team. Instead, he wants to contribute to the best of his ability as a player.
Former players and analysts have weighed in on Bumrah's importance to the Indian team and the series. Former England bowler Stuart Broad has lauded Bumrah as the best bowler in the world, emphasizing that the outcome of the series heavily relies on Bumrah's fitness and performance. Jos Buttler echoed similar sentiments, calling Bumrah the biggest star in the touring squad, acknowledging his unique bowling action and the challenges he poses to batsmen.
Dinesh Karthik speculated that Bumrah is likely to feature in the first Test at Headingley (June 20-24), the second Test at Edgbaston (July 2-6), and the fourth Test at Manchester (July 23-27), considering the gaps between these matches. However, he also noted that if the series is on the line, the team might request Bumrah to reconsider playing the fifth Test.
The Indian squad for the England Test series has already been announced, with Shubman Gill as captain and Rishabh Pant as vice-captain. Other key players in the squad include Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja.
