England are likely to get a shock reprieve from the crucial third Test in Rajkot next week, while India are considering resting Jasprit Bumrah. He was instrumental in India leveling the series in Visakhapatnam, with the fast bowler taking 9 wickets in the match, including a horrific 6-wicket haul on the second day. A reverse swing performance secured a 106-run win for the hosts.
Although India won by a day and extended the break between Tests to nine, a report by Cricbuzz suggests that the 30-year-old will now be given extra time before playing the final two Tests Charge. His workload will be spread as there is an eight-day gap between the matches in Ranchi and Dharamshala.
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One source said this is likely to happen. Considering the scoreline of the series and the time until the series resumes on February 15, this move by India will be surprising and will be welcomed by England.
Bumrah, who bowled 57 balls in the series and took 15 wickets at 10 apiece, represents India’s valuable all-round commodity. The 30-year-old was out for 10 months last year with a stress fracture in his lower back before fully participating in last month’s 50-over World Cup and two Test matches in South Africa. After the Test match against England, it will be followed by the two-month Indian Premier League and the T20 World Cup in June.
India are yet to announce their squad for the next two Tests. Apart from Bumrah’s deployment, it is unclear if Virat Kohli will return from the break due to undisclosed personal reasons. Ravindra Jadeja (hamstring) and KL Rahul (quadriceps) also missed the second Test, with the latter reportedly returning in better condition at Rajkot. Mohammed Siraj was rested for the second Test and may return as Bumrah’s replacement despite taking just 11 runs in the first Test.
