India lost a nail-biting Test at Lord's by 22 runs, and Bumrah's presence is expected to be key as the visitors look to level the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. "No, we'll make that call (on Bumrah) in Manchester still," India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo. "We know we have got him for one of the last two Tests. It's pretty obvious that the series on the line now in Manchester so there will be a leaning towards playing him," he added.
Bumrah came into the England tour with a carefully crafted plan, designed with inputs from the BCCI medical team to feature in only three of the five Tests, in order to manage his workload after back surgery in March. He sat out the second Test at Edgbaston despite a full week's break between matches, a move that drew criticism from many, including former India coach Ravi Shastri
On Tuesday, Bumrah, Siraj, and Akash Deep were seen doing only light fitness drills and did not bowl. Siraj did bat, and seemed in better spirits after the heartbreak of the Lord's, where a freak dismissal ended India's chase
Another area of concern is Rishabh Pant's injury. The wicketkeeper-batter has not fully recovered from the blow he took to his left index finger while diving during England's first innings at Lord's. Though he bravely batted in both innings, he couldn't keep wickets, with Dhruv Jurel taking over behind the stumps
Pant stayed away from batting or keeping drills, instead opting for light training. There was no taping on his finger, but it's understood that the pain from impact still lingers. Ten Doeschate sounded hopeful, "He (Pant) will bat in Manchester before the Test."
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