Indian speed star Jasprit Bumrah set to be rested for the next Test in Ranchi starting on February 23. Whether he will play the fifth and final Test in Dharamsala is depending on the outcome of the fourth test.
Bumrah is the leading wicket-taker of the series with 17 wickets at 13.64 average till now. He has already sent down 80.5 overs in the three games. The Indian team management has decided to reduce the workload from players. Mohammed Siraj was similarly rested for the second Test in Visakhapatnam. Bumrah had been forced out of action for nearly a year, missing almost the entirety of 2023 due to a back-stress fracture that required surgery in March. He returned to top level cricket just a few days before the 2023 World Cup. So team management is trying to manage the fast bowlers workload.
After knocking England down by a record 434 runs in Rajkot, India is leading the series 2-1. The Indian cricket team is set to leave for Ranchi on Tuesday, February 20. However, Bumrah is likely to drive home on Monday itself, as Ahmedabad is a four-hour drive from Rajkot. Though there is no immediate information if the team management will seek a replacement player for Bumrah. Mukesh Kumar, who was released from the third Test so that he could take part in the Ranji game for his state Bengal, will rejoin the squad in Ranchi. He will likely play the 4th Test as India’s second pacer. India might opt to go with four spin bowlers and one pacer in Mohammed Siraj if the Ranchi pitch could assist spinners.