India sweat on Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness as injuries mount ahead of Manchester Test

Jasprit Bumrah (Pic: AFP)

India are facing a pivotal decision over the availability of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford. With the hosts one win away from sealing the series, the pressure is firmly on the visitors to get their selection right, with their sights set on a first Test series win in England since 2007.

Bumrah's participation in the penultimate Test hangs in the balance due to concerns over his long-standing back issue. Head coach Gautam Gambhir had indicated at the beginning of the tour that Bumrah, currently the world's top-ranked Test bowler, would only be used in three of the five matches. The 31-year-old featured in the opening and third Tests, both of which India lost, and was rested for the second match, where the tourists levelled the series.

Opting to play Bumrah in Manchester could potentially rule him out of a high-stakes fifth Test. Yet with all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh sidelined through injury, India's bowling resources are stretched. That makes the decision even more critical, as they look to avoid conceding the series with one Test to play.

While India deliberate over Bumrah, England have problems of their own, notably at the top of the batting order. Despite being 2-1 up in the series, inconsistency among their openers remains a headache. Zak Crawley managed scores of just 18 and 22 at Lord's, continuing a pattern of promising starts followed by soft dismissals. Despite his previous big knocks, including a double century against Pakistan and 189 versus Australia, critics have questioned his ability to deliver consistently.

Ben Duckett fared no better in the third Test with innings of 23 and 12, while No.3 Ollie Pope followed up a fluent 44 in the first innings with just four in the second. Nevertheless, England's selectors have shown unwavering support for Crawley and Duckett throughout the series, suggesting they are likely to retain their places.

A key subplot in Manchester will be the battle of the all-rounders: Ben Stokes versus Ravindra Jadeja. Both were instrumental in the third Test, with Stokes contributing 77 runs across two innings, five wickets, and a crucial run-out of Rishabh Pant. Notably, the England captain sent down 44 overs, the most he's bowled in a match in over six years.

Jadeja, too, showed immense grit at Lord's, scoring an unbeaten 61 from 181 balls in the second innings and keeping India in the hunt until the final stages. The 36-year-old, now a senior figure in the side following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the Test arena, also made key contributions earlier in the series, including 72 and 89 at Edgbaston.

(With AFP inputs)