Although India must use Jasprit Bumrah cautiously, the tourists are thinking of playing their pace leader in the fourth test in Manchester next week because the five-test series against England is on the line.
Three of the five Test matches in England will be played by Bumrah, whose workload has been carefully controlled since his return from back surgery earlier this year, according to the team management.
With a win in Manchester, England would have an insurmountable 3-1 advantage. Instead of saving Bumrah for the last test at the Oval, India is thinking about fielding him in the upcoming match. Bumrah missed the second test in Birmingham.
“We know we have got him for one of the last two tests,” assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said to reporters following Thursday’s practice.
“It’s pretty obvious that the series is on the line now in Manchester, so there will be a leaning towards playing him.”
“But again, we have got to look at all the factors: how many days of cricket are we going to get up there, what do we feel is our best chance of winning that game, and then how that fits in together with the Oval.”
Although India lost both in Leeds and Lord’s, Bumrah, who is perhaps the greatest all-format bowler of his generation, claimed five wickets in both of the tests he played on this trip to England.
Rishabh Pant, the Indian wicketkeeper, did not bat during Thursday’s practice because he injured his finger at Lord’s.
Ten Doeschate expressed confidence that Pant would return to his typical responsibilities in Manchester, where he would bat in front of the stumps and wear the keeper’s gloves behind them.
Ten Doeschate, a former Dutch international, stated, “Look, I don’t think you’re going to keep Rishabh out of the test no matter what.”
“He batted with quite a lot of pain in the third test, and it’s only going to get easier and easier on his finger.”
