India Hit With Major Blow Ahead Of Oval Test As BCCI Gives Jasprit Bumrah Stern Message: Report

India have hit with a major blow ahead of the Oval Test Photo : AP

KEY HIGHLIGHTS Jasprit Bumrah will not play the Oval Test

India will have to make atleast two changes

Rishabh Pant has also been ruled out

Jasprit Bumrah will not play the fifth Test between India and England at the Oval Stadium in London as India will be forced into a minimum of two changes in the series finale which will start on Thursday (July 31). The Shubman Gill-led side will go into the fifth Test with the chance of levelling the series as they are currently 2-1 down.

As per a report by EspnCricinfo, the call has been made to the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) medical team. It is reported that the medical staff have told Bumrah that the call has been made to 'decision is in line with safeguarding his back and keeping the long-term in mind.'

Although, the decision is in sync with the statement made by chief selector Agarkar and Bumrah himself before the series, where it was stated that the 31-year-old will only feature in three matches. The World No.1 bowler featured in the opening Test at Headingley before sitting out the Edgbaston Test. He played both the third and fourth match at Lord's and Manchester.

A turnaround of just three days between the fourth and fifth match made it unlikely that Bumrah will feature at the Oval. Any chances of a change plans further went out of the window as Bumrah bowled 30 overs in an innings for only the second time in his career as he had a rare sub-standard outing with just two wickets as England put up a huge total of 669 on the board.

Even in Manchester, it was pointed out that Bumrah did not bowl a single delivery above 140 kmph. Although, it has been repeated issues with his back that have forced India to be careful with his workload, the 31-year-old also suffered a freak ankle twist during the Manchester Test.

Overall, Bumrah ends the series with 14 wickets in three games with two five-wicket hauls. He is currently the joint second-highest wicket-taker alongside Mohammed Siraj, who has played one more match.

Who will replace Jasprit Bumrah?

The same report states that Akash Deep, who was the star of India's victory in the second Test, will replace Bumrah. Akash missed the fourth Test due to an injury but is believed to be fit again.

The Asian giants are also without Rishabh Pant, who fractured his foot in Manchester. Dhruv Jurel is set to replace him in the playing XI after filling in with the gloves for him in the last two Test matches.

Any other changes remain to be seen as Siraj is another player with a heavy workload and looked off-colour in the last match. Indian captain Gill handed Shardul Thakur the ball for just 11 overs of the 157.1 they bowled in Manchester and his place is also under major doubt.

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