Jasprit Bumrah’s absence from The Oval Test is being felt more acutely now, as India stare at a potential defeat in the match and the series, with hosts England just 35 runs away from victory while chasing a mammoth 374. As the match heads into the fifth day for a thrilling finish, with India needing four wickets, it has come to light that Bumrah did not choose to skip the Test as part of workload management, but due to injury.
He ended the series with 14 wickets in three matches.
A report by Mumbai Mirror stated that the decision to not include Bumrah in the fifth Test was precautionary in nature. However, the BCCI, in its July 31 release, did not reveal that Bumrah was injured. It simply stated: “Bumrah has been released from India’s squad for the fifth Test of the series against England.” This revelation has now prompted questions about the decision and intention of the BCCI.
A BCCI official, on condition of anonymity, said Bumrah had suffered a knee injury, forcing his withdrawal from the match. “Unfortunately, Bumrah is suffering from a knee injury. The good thing is that it’s not a major one and won’t require surgery. The BCCI medical team is currently awaiting his scan reports.”
Bumrah is now expected to begin his rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. He ended the series with 14 scalps, including two fifers. However, he struggled in the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester, where he bowled 33 overs on a flat pitch and managed only two wickets for 112 runs.
Bumrah has a long injury history. Earlier this year, he suffered a back stress fracture sustained during the New Year’s Test in Sydney on India’s tour of Australia. Now, this knee injury marks a fresh fitness concern. India do not have any five-match Test series lined up in the next couple of years, as they are scheduled to play two-match series against West Indies and South Africa. With the Asia Cup scheduled to begin in September in the UAE, Bumrah now faces an uncertain time.