After the draw in Old Trafford, Gautam Gambhir dismissed any concern of the injuries for the rapid team of India
India cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir categorically stated that all the fast bowlers of the team were fit and available for selection for the IND vs ENG 5th Test. Shubman Gill and co. struggled with multiple injuries and workload management of their pacers leading up to the end of the 4th Test. Ahead of the must-win game at The Oval to draw the series 2-2, Gambhir confirmed that all pacers in the Indian squad were injury free and were available for selection.
India injury update: Gambhir claims all pacers are fit for The Oval tie
Speaking to reporters at the press conference after Day 5 of IND vs ENG 4th Test, Gambhir stated that all the pacers were fit and that there were no injury concerns. Akash Deep had missed the 4th Test as he was dealing with a groin niggle while Arshdeep Singh was ruled out due to an injury he sustained on his hand while training. Anshul Kamboj, who was added to the squad in the last-minute, was picked over Prasidh Krishna in the XI for the Old Trafford Test.
“All the fast bowlers are fit. There are no injury concerns. We haven’t had any conversation around the combination for the last Test. No decision has been made on whether Jasprit Bumrah will play or not. Ultimately, whoever plays, they will try and do the job for the country,” Gambhir stated.
Meanwhile, Bumrah has already played in three Tests, which was the original plan as per his workload management. However, with the series hanging in balance and with the pacer effectively getting some good rest before the next game, it remains to be seen if India will consider him in the playing XI. Besides, a worrying fact that emerged from the 4th Test was that Bumrah’s speeds and lengths dropped, ringing alarm bells for India.
Mohammed Siraj too seemed to struggle with fatigue at the Old Trafford. However, with Gambhir clearing the air, India have the option to pick their combination from the pool of Siraj, Bumrah, Prasidh, Akash Deep, Arshdeep and Anshul Kamboj.
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This is completely ridiculous desicion by Gambhir. Bumrah should have rested after all the matches he played. Your gonna injure our best bowler and then what? We have no backup plan at all.
Perfect decision by coach! England batsman are scared of Bumrah you can see it in there eyes. We need to finish them 4-1 or 5-0, send strong message before world cup.
The workload management data shows Bumrah bowled more than any Indian fast bowler in last 6 months. His body need rest not another test match. Medical team should overrule Gambhir on this one honestly.
Wow such brilliant strategy… play your injured star bowler in dead rubber test. What could possibly go wrong? Gambhir really proving his tactical genius here lol
Bumrah gonna destroy England batting again. They cant play his yorkers and bouncers combination. 5-fer incoming guaranteed!
Why everyone acting like Bumrah is made of glass? He professional athlete, he train for this. If he fit he should play simple as that. Stop over analyzing everything.
So let me get this straight… Bumrah plays, gets injured, misses Australia tour, and then what? We blame Gambhir? Or we blame BCCI? Or maybe we all just pretend surprised when it happens?
Oh great, so we’re just going to run Bumrah into the ground? What happen when he breaks down in Australia series? Gambhir doesn’t think long term, only about winning right now. Short-sighted coaching if you ask me.
Absolute madness from Gambhir. Your killing our best bowler for meaningless test match. What the point of winning 5-0 if Bumrah injured for next 6 months? Use your brain coach!
Finally some good news! Bumrah is our only hope against England honestly. Without him we dont stand a chance in 5th test. Gambhir knows what his doing, trust the process guys!
I dont understand Gambhir thinking process at all. We already won series, why risk Bumrah? Give chance to young bowlers like Akash Deep or Mukesh. This make no sense to me whatsoever.
Bumrah has bowled 156 overs in this series already which is most by any Indian pacer. His economy rate is 2.9 and taken 29 wickets so far. Playing him in 5th test is risky but England batting lineup struggling against pace so tactically make sense.
Peak comedy watching Indian team management make same mistakes over and over expecting different result. Einstein definition of insanity right here folks.