The Indian cricket team faces a do-or-die situation in the five-match Test series against England, one decision that still hangs in air is whether Jasprit Bumrah will be included in the fourth Test at Old Trafford? Jasprit Bumrah has been the bowler who delivers crucial breakthroughs for India. If Shubman Gill and Co. want to bounce back from the heartbreaking defeat at Lord’s in the third Test, Bumrah needs to play.
Series On The Line
With England already leading in the series 2-1, the fourth Test is a virtual do-or-die match for India. A defeat would hand over the series to the hosts. In such high-pressure situations, teams look to their match-winners, and Bumrah is one such player. His capacity to break partnerships, hit early with the new ball, and bowl game-changers makes him indispensable when the pressure is greatest.
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Bumrah In England Vs India Test Series
Jasprit Bumrah has been India’s pace backbone and has performed very well in the two Tests he has played till now. Overall, he has 12 wickets in 2 matches (4 innings) with an average of approximately 21. In the 1st Test, he took 5 wickets by giving away 83 runs in the first innings. In the 2nd Test, he took 5 wickets in the first innings and 2 in the second innings. Bumrah completely rattled England’s batting order, and he has been India’s most effective bowler.
Workload Management Can Wait – But The Series Can’t
India initially intended to have Bumrah play in just three Tests to balance his workload, particularly since his return from a severe back injury. Although such prudence is understandable, circumstances do count. In case India is beaten in the fourth Test, the fifth could be inconsequential as far as the series result is concerned. Strategically, it is wiser to deploy Bumrah now, with the series still competitive, rather than saving him for a potential dead rubber.
Psychological Influence On England
Bumrah’s inclusion in the playing XI tends to change the psychological equation automatically. English batters, and especially the top order, have found it challenging against him in the past. His very name in the team sheet compels the opposition to plan differently and quite often defensively, which could determine the course of the match before a single ball is bowled.
