Jasprit Bumrah to play in Manchester? Anil Kumble joins workload debate with blunt 'series is done and dusted' take

Anil Kumble joins Jasprit Bumrah workload debate with blunt 'series is done and dusted' take (PTI Photo)

Former India captain Anil Kumble expressed that the management should encourage Jasprit Bumrah to play in the final two Tests after India endured a heartbreaking loss at Lord's. India lost the third Test by 22 runs after being bowled out for 170 runs while chasing 193. The outcome saw England take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

The BCCI had previously announced that Bumrah would only play three Tests during the England tour in order to manage his workload. Despite numerous requests to the management not to rest him following his one-man performance in the series opener in Leeds last month, head coach Gautam Gambhir benched him in the second Test. Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep stepped up in the absence of Bumrah in Birmingham, and played a major role in India's 336-run triumph.

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But with India once again behind, Kumble feels Bumrah should play in Manchester, stating that if he doesn't India would undoubtedly lose and the series may end there.

"I would certainly, if I'm a part of that group, I would certainly push Bumrah to play the next game because that's crucial. If he doesn't play and then you lose the Test match, that's it. Series is done and dusted. I think Bumrah should play both the Test matches. I know he said, I'm only going to play three. We have a long break after this. You don't need to play the home series. You can take a break if you want. But Bumrah should be playing the next," Kumble told JioStar on Monday after the end of the Test match in London. The fourth Test is scheduled to start on July 23.

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India have so far decided to keep quiet about their plans for Bumrah. Following the conclusion of the Lord's Test on Monday, skipper Shubman Gill was questioned over Bumrah's availability for the upcoming games. All he said was, “You'll get to know soon.”

India have never tasted victory in a Test match at Manchester. Out of nine appearances at the venue, five ended in draws while England emerged victorious in the other four. The last time India played there was in 2014, when the MS Dhoni-led side suffered a heavy defeat — losing by an innings and 54 runs.