ENG vs IND 2025: Should India rest Jasprit Bumrah for Oval Test after dip in pace and fatigue signs at Old Trafford?
India move to the Oval for the final Test with the series poised at 2-1 in England’s favour. The visitors need their top bowler Jasprit Bumrah to be ready and fit to play the final Test. However, Bumrah has already played three Tests so far as decided by the team management to keep his workload in check. Hence, there is a high probability that Bumrah may not play the Oval Test.
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But considering India have a chance to level the series, should Bumrah be asked to bowl for one last time in this series?
Jasprit Bumrah looks fatigued
Bumrah looked out of place in the previous Test at Old Trafford in Manchester. He was playing back-to-back Tests, and was not able to bowl to his maximum pace. There were a few spells from him in the last Test where he was bowling around 120-125 km/hr. Hence, Bumrah’s pace seems to have dropped due to the extra workload. Should he be pushed again? Considering his history of injuries, it would be best for Bumrah and the team to look beyond him for the last Test.
India had rested Bumrah for the second Test at Edgbaston, and the added responsibility had spurred Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep to bowl India to a memorable win. The duo had taken 17 wickets in that match. Hence, they could do the job even if Bumrah is rested for the Oval Test.
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Bumrah’s underwhelming performance
Considering his exploits in the five-match Test series Down Under recently, Bumrah has not been at his best in this England series. Yet, Bumrah has taken two five-wicket hauls in the three Tests he has played so far. However, it was the last Test that showed Bumrah was lacking zing, the spring in his steps, and was slightly demotivated to go full throttle.
For the record Bumrah has taken 14 wickets at an average of 26.00 in three Tests so far in the series, emerging the best India bowler in this series. Siraj has taken 14 wickets as well, but in four Tests.
But Bumrah’s average this series has been below expectations, considering his career best average in Tests is 19.82. Ben Stokes, the all-rounder, has better performance to show, 17 wickets @ 25.23.
Jasprit Bumrah lacks support from the other end
All the eyes are on Jasprit Bumrah whenever he plays, while the other supporting bowlers fail to deliver in the shadows of the former. In the last Test, Siraj and Anshul Kamboj were wayward with their bowling, putting pressure on Bumrah to pick up wickets. But if Bumrah is not available, it would give a chance to Siraj, Akash Deep, and other bowlers to rise up to the challenge, and deliver for the team, just how Siraj-Deep (17 wickets together) did in the second Test at Edgbaston. Hence, Bumrah’s absence could work to India’s favour for other bowlers to shine on the big stage.
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