Before the India vs England Test series began, it was confirmed that star pacer Jasprit Bumrah would only play three of the five Tests due to workload management. However, his sensational performance in the first innings of the Headingley Test against Ben Stokes and Co. has led several pundits to urge him to reconsider his decision. Many believe India have a genuine chance to win their first series in the UK since 2007 if Bumrah features in all the games.
Bumrah was once again the lone warrior for India in the first innings of the opening Test. He claimed a five-wicket haul, helping the visitors bowl out the hosts for 465 on a batting-friendly pitch. As a result, India gained a six-run lead. Bumrah’s figures could have looked even better had the Indian fielders not dropped easy catches in the slip cordon.
Ahead of Day 4, Bumrah spoke with Sony Sports Network presenter and wife Sanjana Ganesan, who conveyed a special message from Sunil Gavaskar and Cheteshwar Pujara.
“There is a request that has come from upstairs—from Cheteshwar Pujara and Sunil Gavaskar,” she said.
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“Don’t shoot the messenger. I’m just quoting: ‘Jasprit, please play all five Tests. Please, please,’” she added.
Bumrah, currently the number one bowler in Test cricket, responded with a smile but stopped short of making any commitment.
“That is a conversation we will have on another day,” said the pacer.
India's premier fast bowler featured in all five matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia but picked up a back spasm during the final Test in Sydney. The injury sidelined him from competitive action for three months, forcing him to miss the 2025 ICC Men’s Champions Trophy — a tournament India eventually went on to win.
In the lead-up to the England Test series, both the chief selector and Jasprit Bumrah clarified that he would not be playing the entire five-match series. The decision was made to carefully manage his workload and ensure he remains fit for the long haul.
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Bumrah made an immediate impact in the opening Test, claiming 5 wickets for 83 runs in the first innings. His scalps included key batters like Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Chris Woakes, and Josh Tongue. Among the Indian pace attack, Bumrah stood out for his ability to control the scoring rate, while the likes of Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna were more expensive.
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