India's leading fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will miss the fifth Test against England, set to start from Thursday at The Oval. As per reports, Akash Deep, who missed the fourth Test due to a groin niggle, is likely to replace the 31-year-old World No. 1 pacer in the playing XI.
Bumrah appeared off-colour during the drawn fourth Test at Old Trafford, where he struggled with his pace and failed to make breakthroughs. Since then, there was talk that he could miss the fifth Test.
"The BCCI medical team has told Bumrah that the decision is in line with safeguarding his back and keeping his long-term fitness in mind," reported ESPNCricinfo.
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Earlier, head coach Gautam Gambhir had stated that no decision had been taken regarding team composition and that all bowlers, including Bumrah, were fit. "We haven’t had any conversation around the combination for the last Test," Gambhir had said after the fourth Test in Manchester. "No decision has been taken on whether Jasprit Bumrah will play or not. Ultimately, whoever plays, they will try to do the job for the country."
England piled up a massive 669 in response to India's 358, taking a 311-run first-innings lead in the fourth Test. However, India mounted a remarkable fightback from 0 for 2, batting 143 overs in the second innings with centuries from captain Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja to earn a dramatic draw and stay alive in the five-match series, trailing 1-2.
Bumrah bowled 33 overs in the first innings of the fourth Test -- the most he has bowled in a single innings -- but returned figures of 2 for 103, the first time he conceded over 100 runs in a Test innings.
The number of deliveries he bowled over 140kph dropped significantly over the series -- from 42.7 per cent at Headingley, to 22.3 per cent at Lord’s, and just 0.5% at Old Trafford. Despite the dip in his effectiveness, Bumrah remains the joint highest wicket-taker for India in the series alongside Mohammed Siraj, with 14 wickets to his credit.
Stokes ruled out, Archer rested
Injured England captain Ben Stokes and the team’s lead pacer, Jofra Archer, will not play in the fifth and final Test against India as England made three changes to their playing XI in the last Test match of the series. The hosts lead the series 2-1 after four intensely fought Test matches, which also had its fair share of controversies. Ollie Pope will lead England in Stokes' absence.
Stokes, who has led the team from the front and claimed 17 wickets while scoring some important knocks with the bat, will miss out on the match at The Oval due to a shoulder injury. Archer, on the other hand, has been rested after having made his return to Test cricket following a gap of four years.
Pacer Brydon Carse will also miss the final Test, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a press statement issued on Wednesday. “Captain Ben Stokes is unavailable due to a right shoulder injury. Also missing out are spinner Liam Dawson and pace bowlers Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse. England have included Jacob Bethell, who will bat at No. 6. Surrey bowlers Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton come into the side, along with Nottinghamshire quick Josh Tongue,” the ECB said.
England playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (c), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue.
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