IND vs ENG: After having enough discourses among the fans and cricket experts as to whether the Indian management should consider resting Jasprit Bumrah for the upcoming 3rd Test match against England, recent reports have indicated that the BCCI may not necessarily rest the ace pacer for the Rajkot Test. However there are still many possibilities as the selection of India’s squad is yet to be done, which is expected to be concluded in a day’s time.
As per the reports, Jasprit Bumrah, who has been on the roll since December 26, 2023, is likely to be rested for the 3rd India vs England test, which is scheduled to be held in Rajkot, starting February 15. However, these reports took a U-turn as they indicated that due to the nature of the surface in Rajkot, which offers substantially more to the pacers, the BCCI might not rest Jasprit Bumrah.
Along with not resting Jasprit Bumrah for the test, these reports also pointed out that Mohammad Siraj could be brought back into the side and paired alongside Bumrah for the fixture.
The surface in Rajkot’s Saurashtra Cricket Stadium has historically aided pacers more than the spinners. Due to the nature of the surface, the team may retain Jasprit Bumrah for the third test and his workload will be managed afterwards as the five-match test series head to Ranchi and Dharmshala.
So far, Bumrah has bowled close to 60 overs in the first two tests against England in Hyderabad and Vishakhapatnam. Only R Ashwin has bowled more than Bumrah (80). Moreover, he has been the top wicket-taker for the team with 15 wickets at an exceptional average of 10.
Keeping in mind the impact he makes, it would be challenging for the Indian leadership to bench him for a game. Much of that would be made clear once the BCCI announce India’s Test Squad for the last 3 test matches.
IND vs ENG: KL Rahul to be fit for 3rd India vs England Test
In some positive news from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, wicketkeeper batter KL Rahul is likely to be cleared to play the third test in Rajkot. Rahul, who suffered a right quadriceps injury during the first test, was ruled out of the 2nd test in Vishakhapatnam. The batter went to the NCA to treat his injury and is now likely to be available for the remainder of the test series.
Meanwhile, the selection of Ravindra Jadeja hinges on the assessment of his hamstring by the medical team at the NCA. Notably, Ravindra Jadeja too suffered injury during the first test and was immediately withdrawn from the 2nd game of the series.