Big blow for India as Jasprit Bumrah set to miss fifth Test against England, replacement named

New Delhi: Star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is set to miss the fifth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval in London, starting from Thursday, July 30. According to an ESPNcricinfo report, the BCCI medical team has informed the pacer that the decision has been made to protect his back.

The decision is not entirely a surprise, considering that the medical team, in coordination with Bumrah, the team management, and the selectors, had earlier decided that he would play only three Test matches out of the five during the England tour.

He played in the opening Test at Headingley, missed the second Test at Edgbaston, which India won, and played in the next two matches at Lord's and last week at Old Trafford. Bumrah picked up two wickets in 33 overs, which was the most he has bowled in an innings.

His pace also dropped as the series progressed; the number of 140 kph+ deliveries he bowled in the first innings of each Test reduced from 42.7% at Headingley to 22.3% at Lord's to 0.5% at Old Trafford.

Bumrah is currently the joint-second-highest wicket-taker alongside Mohammed Siraj with 14 scalps in the series. After the Manchester Test, India's head coach Gautam Gambhir had said that Bumrah would be available for the final Test, but two days later, the team decided to rest him.

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Akash Deep, who missed the fourth Test due to a groin niggle is likely to replace Jasprit Bumrah in the last Test of the series. It was quite evident during India's optional practice session on Tuesday as the pacer found his rhythm easily and seamed the ball on green practice pitches.

He picked a 10-wicket haul in the second Test, including a career-best 6/99 in England's second innings, but struggled in the next Test at Lord's and took just one wicket. In the absence of Bumrah, Siraj will once again lead the Indian pace attack.