Bumrah won’t play in the fifth Test as per BCCI medical advice. Akash Deep will replace him in the playing XI, who missed the last Test at Old Trafford due to a groin injury.
Bumrah along with coach Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill had announced before the series that he would play only three Tests. This was after a back stress injury in Sydney during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy kept him out for three months.
He started at Headingley, rested at Edgbaston, played at Lord’s and Old Trafford. India only bowled once at Old Trafford and that was the game where Bumrah looked less effective. He took 2 wickets in 33 overs (his most in an innings) for 112 runs which was his worst performance. He was slower and looked hobbling at times and all of this seems to have played a role in the decision.
Akash Deep has a big responsibility to fill in for Bumrah. He had stepped up in the second Test at Edgbaston where he took 10 wickets, a feat rarely achieved by an Indian pacer and had a good game.
But Mohammed Siraj provided good support in that game. It remains to be seen what the team does with Siraj who has played all four Tests but looked tired and cramped in Manchester.
If Siraj doesn’t play then left arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh might make his debut. That would be a gamble considering England is leading the series 2-1 going into the final game. Anshul Kamboj who debuted at Old Trafford and left arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav are also being considered by the team.
