India has been given a major boost before the fourth Test against England, with Jasprit Bumrah having been cleared to play. Bumrah’s availability beefs up India’s bowling attack, which was on the brink after several injuries in the third Test at Lord’s.
Jasprit Bumrah to Head India’s Pace Attack at Old Trafford
Pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who had been pacing his workload during the England series, will play in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester. This will be Bumrah’s third of the five-Test series, as India manages his playing time to prevent burnout. In talking to the media, Mohammed Siraj said, “So far, we only know that Jassi [Bumrah] bhai will play.”
The return of Jasprit Bumrah is particularly crucial with both Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh being troubled by fitness concerns. Akash Deep, who picked up a groin niggle at training, bowled lightly but remains under the watch of the medical staff in the lead-up to the Test.
Rishabh Pant’s Injury Update: To Make Comeback as Wicketkeeper
In other welcome news, Rishabh Pant is set to return to wicketkeeping after injuring his finger during the Lord’s Test. Pant took part in a two-hour training session on Monday, which consisted of wicketkeeping drills and net practice. Though India was initially careful, his training performance all but sealed his spot behind the wickets.
There were concerns initially that Pant might play only as a batsman, with Dhruv Jurel warming the benches as wicketkeeper. But Pant’s comeback appears to have gone well, dispelling such worries.
Team Combination: Sai Sudharsan Might Come Back, Thakur Instead of Sundar?
With Nitish Kumar Reddy out of the rest of the series with an injury, India is set to reintroduce specialist batter Sai Sudharsan, who was in action on the opening Test at Headingley. Sudharsan is possibly to substitute Washington Sundar in the XI, particularly if conditions at Old Trafford require an additional seamer rather than another spinner.
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Shardul Thakur is in line for the fourth seamer’s spot in case India chooses pace-friendly bowling conditions, with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj spearheading the attack.
Akash Deep or His Stand-ins: Who Gets the Third Seamer Spot?
Akash Deep’s availability is still in doubt because of his groin problem. If he’s ruled out, the team will most probably resort to Prasidh Krishna or uncapped pacer Anshul Kamboj.
Though Prasidh has played the first two Tests, his economy rate of 5.33 and average of 55.16 have left a question mark over his control. Then again, Anshul Kamboj, who is known for his seam movement, may be a great replacement. With 79 wickets at a first-class average of 22.88 since 2022, Kamboj has the added support of MS Dhoni, who spoke highly of his talent during IPL 2025.
Bumrah’s Load and Manchester Conditions May Determine Final Test Choice
With the fifth Test at The Oval to be played just three days after the fourth, the possibility of Jasprit Bumrah being rested for the last game is there, depending upon how the fourth Test transpires and his body feels. Manchester’s weather forecast of light showers on Days 1, 2, and 5, however, might curtail Bumrah’s workload at the Test and enhance the likelihood of him playing both matches.
India Trails 2-1 in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy
India currently trails 2-1 in the series, having already lost the first match at Headingley and the third at Lord’s. The side will hope to make a strong comeback at Old Trafford with the return of key figures Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant to full fitness.
India Squad for the Fourth Test against England at Old Trafford:
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Shubman Gill (Captain)
Rishabh Pant (Vice-Captain & Wicketkeeper)
Yashasvi Jaiswal
KL Rahul
Sai Sudharsan
Abhimanyu Easwaran
Karun Nair
Ravindra Jadeja
Dhruv Jurel (WK)
Washington Sundar
Shardul Thakur
Jasprit Bumrah
Mohammed Siraj
Prasidh Krishna
Akash Deep
Kuldeep Yadav
Anshul Kamboj
The return of Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant greatly increases India’s opportunity to square the series. The third seamer and position of the all-rounder remain uncertain, but the team’s backbone appears more robust with established players returning to form. As the series is still very much alive, everyone will look up to Bumrah again to spearhead from the front at Old Trafford.
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