Gambhir passes all his pacers fit for the Test at Oval with a call to be taken on Bumrah’s availability later.
Gambhi says that all fast bowlers, including Bumrah, are fit for Oval Test.
India has to win the Oval Test to tie the series, and coach Gautam Gambhir has stated that his team has a full quota of fit fast bowlers to choose from. Significantly, after declaring that he was fit to play just three Test matches prior to the series, Gambhir did not rule out the prospect of Jasprit Bumrah playing a fourth Test.
Since before noon on day four of this Test, Bumrah has had time to rest. His slow pace at Old Trafford may perhaps have been caused by a soft outfield and loose foot holes. Thursday marks the start of the fifth and final Test.
With Mohammed Siraj feeling exhausted and Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep suffering from bowling hand and groin problems, respectively, India entered the third Test hobbled. Anshul Kamboj, who played before Prasidh Krishna, was one of the reinforcements they had to bring in from India.
“All the fast bowlers are fit,” Gambhir said after India’s 143-over batting effort to secure a draw at Old Trafford and stay alive in the series. “There are no injury concerns.”
Bumrah is included in that as well, but his situation is distinct. Instead of playing just three Test matches due to an injury, he is doing so to control his workload and avoid getting hurt again following his stress reaction earlier in the season. He had been out for five months because of that stress reaction. With a series still on the line, Gambhir was questioned about if that workload prescription was still in place.
“We haven’t had any conversation around the combination for the last Test,” Gambhir replied. “No decision has been made on whether Jasprit Bumrah will play or not. Ultimately, whoever plays, they will try and do the job for the country.”