India Likely to Miss Jasprit Bumrah in Final Test Against England at The Oval
India's hopes of levelling the five-match Test series against England have taken a significant hit with reports indicating that pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is unlikely to feature in the final Test at The Oval.
The right-arm fast bowler, who recently made a much-anticipated return to international cricket after a prolonged injury layoff, has already featured in the first three Tests of the series. Team management had earmarked a workload cap for Bumrah following his recovery from a serious back injury, and it appears that threshold has now been met.
Bumrah’s Workload Management
The Indian cricket board has been extra cautious with Bumrah, who spent over three months sidelined due to a back issue before making his comeback in April. Given his value across formats and his injury history, the team management had limited his participation to a maximum of three Tests in this England tour.
The 30-year-old pacer delivered impactful performances in the series, especially with his ability to swing the ball both ways and maintain pressure with consistency. His absence in the final game is sure to be felt, especially at a venue like The Oval which traditionally supports fast bowling, particularly in the early stages.
India Trailing 2-1 in the Series
India managed to secure a gritty and unexpected draw in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, thanks to a resilient lower-order partnership and rain interruptions. However, they still trail 2-1 in the five-match series. With only one game remaining, The Oval Test becomes a must-win for India to avoid a series defeat.
The Bowling Conundrum
Without Bumrah, India will need to reconfigure their bowling attack. Mohammed Siraj is likely to lead the pace battery, supported by the likes of Mukesh Kumar or perhaps a recalled Prasidh Krishna. The absence of Bumrah's control and strike power could tilt the balance in England’s favour, especially with players like Joe Root and Ben Stokes in strong form.
Spin options may also come into play more prominently. Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been used strategically throughout the series, might take on a more central role depending on the pitch conditions.
Final Thoughts
Bumrah’s likely omission is a blow to India’s ambitions of drawing the series. However, it reflects a growing trend in modern cricket where player fitness and long-term planning take precedence over short-term results. As the Indian team looks to protect one of their most valuable assets, the spotlight now shifts to the rest of the squad to rise to the occasion at The Oval.
Cricket fans will be watching closely to see whether India can bounce back without their star pacer or if England will seal the series in front of a home crowd.
