India was seemingly hit with a major blow during the third day of the fourth Test between England and India at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester as Jasprit Bumrah bowled just one over with the second-new ball before being replaced by Anshul Kamboj in the attack.
The move left fans stunned as India were in a desperate need of wickets and the star pacer was their best hope with the match running out of their hands. However, the 31-year-old made a forgettable start as he gave away 11 runs and looked off-colour.There was no second over for the star pacer as Anshul Kamboj replaced him in the attack. Shortly, it was observed that the star pacer was not on the field, sparking fears of an injury.
Later, Ravi Shastri confirmed on air that the World No.1 pacer has suffered an ankle twist while walking down the staircase. Bumrah returned to the field but was not introduced into the bowling attack. He was spotted by the cameras looking uncomfortable with his landing foot, the one bothering him.
Shastri also revealed that Bumrah cannot bowl till the players return from the Tea break, as he was off the field for 30 minutes. For those unversed, players are only allowed eight minutes off the field before they have to spend a similar amount of time on the field as they were off it for him before being able to bowl again.
Shubman Gill was delivered the news by Sai Sudharsan following a message from the dressing room. Reports from the ground revealed that the Indian captain was visibly surprised by the update given to him. The 25-year-old was soon spotted leaving the field and going towards the dressing room for what can be assumed to have been a chat with the team management on the situation.
Things got worse for India as Mohammed Siraj was also seen having an issue with his ankle while bowling the 99th over of the innings. Siraj also left the field and was spotted hobbling.
After Indian pacers failed to impress at Old Trafford, Manchester, with England scoring 544 for 7 riding on a 150-run knock by Joe Root, Jasprit Bumrah has been criticised for his lack of success with the new ball during the ongoing Test series against England. India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel said Bumrah could not take wickets with the new ball because the bowlers from the other end failed to create pressure. Bumrah has picked up 13 wickets in the ongoing series at an average of 26.69, including a fifer in the first Test at Leeds. At Old Trafford, he managed to take the wicket of only Jamie Smith. England took a 186-run lead in the first innings at Day 3 stumps after their opening duo of Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley shared a 166-run partnership. Duckett scored 94, while Crawley was dismissed for 84.
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif feels Jasprit Bumrah may retire from Test cricket format as he is struggling with his fitness and is not able to give his 100 per cent. In the ongoing Test, Bumrah has managed to take just one wicket. He had been able to cross the 140 kmph one mark just once so far (Day 2 and Day 3). He got injured while walking down the stairs as well at The Old Trafford, Manchester.
“According to me, Bumrah may quit Test cricket in the coming times. He is struggling with his body and due to this he may have to retire from Test cricket. His speed was not visible in this match and he is a very self-respecting person. If he feels that he is not able to give 100 percent and is not able to take wickets, then he can refuse himself,” Kaif said in a video he posted on social media.
“Whether he gets wickets or not, but he was bowling at the speed of 125-130. In the ball on which he got a wicket, the keeper had to dive forward and catch it. Fit Bumrah does not have that much speed and his ball comes out at a lot of speed.”
Bumrah’s injury on Day 3
On Day 3, Bumrah injured his ankle while walking down the stairs. He could not bowl to the best of his abilities when the second new ball was taken on Day 3. He got his first wicket of the innings in the 125th over. His only wicket on Day 2 and Day 3 was Jamie Smith who edged one to the substitute wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel. So far, he has bowled 28 overs including five maidens and conceded 95 runs.
“Yeah, unfortunately, when we took the second new ball, Booms rolled his ankles going down the stairs. And then Siraj also, I think, rolled his foot in one of the footholds. But they seemed to be okay,” Morkel said in the post-day press conference, giving an update on duo’s injuries.
Bumrah unlikely for final Test
Before the Test series, it was announced that Bumrah will play three Tests on the tour. Considering there is not much time between fourth and fifth Test, Bumrah is unlikely to feature in the playing XI at Kennington Oval, London, starting July 31.