Jasprit Bumrah had announced prior to the India vs England Test series that he would feature in just 3 matches. Some had qualms about the decision to announce his availability even before the first game happened. But given the history of Bumrah’s injuries, it was the right call.
Dwindling speed, a sign of Bumrah tiring?
Bumrah came out all guns blazing in Headingley and claimed a 5-wicket haul. He rested at Edgbaston and came back at full force at Lord’s. The reason Bumrah was at his best was that he got a 19-day rest. Despite this, his speed was down. Bumrah bowled 40% of his balls at 140 or above in Headingley. At Lord’s, that number was down to 27%.
When he got just 8 days to rest, Bumrah’s speeds were significantly down. He was bowling between 130 and 135 km for the majority of the Old Trafford Test. In fact, he delivered 0% of balls over 140 in Manchester. His delivery lacked the zip that he usually generates.
“I have to say Jasprit Bumrah has looked okay and playable today. He hasn’t got that oomph that he got out of the surface at Lord’s when he bowled that incredible spell, and it’s the pace that Bumrah is not able to generate, unlike Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer,” Michael Vaughan had said about Bumrah on the third day.
Don’t repeat mistakes from Australia
The question now arises: do Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir still play Bumrah? His speed and accuracy were down. Yet, he bowled 33 overs. Only Ravindra Jadeja delivered more overs, 37.1 overs. But, despite all of this, Bumrah was still the most economical bowler, and again, only Jadeja took more wickets than him.
Given that Bumrah bowled 33 overs, it could be thought that he was physically fine. Had he really injured himself, there would have been no way he could have bowled that many overs. It was noticeable that Bumrah was having issues with the rough created near the landing mark. He said so himself and even tried to bowl from wider of the crease to negate putting extra load on his ankle.
But that doesn’t take away from the fact that Bumrah was still bowling slower than what he usually does. That can’t be a good sign. Now remember, Bumrah wasn’t having any issues in Australia until he suddenly injured his back. He had played four Test matches back-to-back. If he plays the Oval Test, it’ll be the third on the trot here as well.
Another back injury & it’s over
Given his struggle with back injuries, you surely can’t risk him getting hurt again. He was out almost a year from 2022 to 2023 and missed the T20 World Cup in Australia. He was 29 then, and he’ll be 32 in a few days. Shane Bond, one of the quickest bowlers to ever play cricket, saw his career end due to back injuries, and he recently warned that if Bumrah gets a back injury again, his career might be over.
If, after all of this, Gambhir and Gill are ready, it’s a risk for just levelling a series; one can’t say much. He carried India in the T20 World Cup two years ago, and in about 7 months, we have another one. It’s up to them if they wish to preserve Bumrah for when it’s essential or play around with his fitness and risk losing him forever.
Jasprit Bumrah in IND vs ENG Test series
| Overs | Wickets | Runs | Average | Economy | Strike Rate | |
| Headingly Test | 43.4 | 5 | 140 | 28 | 3.23 | 52.4 |
| Lord’s Test | 43 | 7 | 112 | 16 | 2.60 | 36.9 |
| Old Trafford Test | 33 | 2 | 112 | 56 | 3.39 | 99 |
| Overall | 119.4 | 14 | 364 | 26 | 3.04 | 51.28 |
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