Pandey backs Bumrah to play all five Tests in England

Gwalior

Former Indian cricketer and Rewa Jaguars coach Ishwar Pandey believes that star pacer Jasprit Bumrah will play all five Tests on the ongoing tour of England. The Indian selectors had previously indicated that Bumrah would be carefully managed due to a stress reaction in his back sustained during the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney in January. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar also suggested the bowler might not feature in every game as part of workload management.

However, Pandey told sources that despite these concerns, he expects Bumrah to feature in the entire series. There will be a big workload, but I think he will play all the matches, he said.

Bumrah himself had acknowledged the challenges of playing five consecutive Tests. Before Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s retirement, he discussed his fitness plan with the BCCI and his medical team, including his surgeon. The 31-year-old has opted to put his long-term fitness and India’s needs ahead of ambitions like captaincy.

I spoke to the BCCI and my team about my workloads for a five-Test series, Bumrah told sources. It’s important to be smart with my body, even if that means making tough decisions.

Bumrah, who is currently playing the Leeds Test at Headingley, has a fine record in England, with 37 wickets in nine Tests at an average of 26.27, and hopes to continue his impressive form in this series.