“He should be ready to go” - Ex-Indian cricketer feels Jasprit Bumrah should play 4th Test

Former Indian cricketer Deep Dasgupta has stated that with the Indian team getting an eight-day gap between the third and fourth Tests, the Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah should be available for selection as they are trailing by 1-2 in the five-match series.

Notably, ahead of the start of the England tour, the Indian selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, confirmed that Bumrah will be playing only three out of five Tests in the series, citing workload management.

“Bumrah should be ready to go. There has been a fair amount of rest in between matches. With India trailing 1-2, you would expect him to play,” Dasgupta told PTI.

Even after India lost the Leeds Test, Gambhir and Shubman Gill decided to rest Bumrah for the second Test in Birmingham, which raised a lot of questions in the cricketing fraternity. However, India managed to bag a huge win to level the series 1-1 at that time.

“Haven’t decided which two matches Bumrah will play but he will play total of three. We need to manage his workload. Scoreline doesn’t change that… he will play three Tests only,” Gambhir had said after the Leeds Test defeat.

Moreover, the former Indian spinner and commentator Anil Kumble has also opined his views, stating that the seamer should be available for selection in the fourth Test, with the game being the series-deciding encounter.

“I would certainly, if I’m part of that group, push Bumrah to play the next game. That’s crucial. If he doesn’t play and then we lose the Test, that’s it, the series is done and dusted. I think Bumrah should play both the remaining Tests. I know he’s said he’s going to play only three, but there’s a long break after this. He doesn’t have to play the home series, he can take a break if needed. But I believe he should be out there for the next two,” Kumble told JioHotstar after the third Test.

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