India vs England: why Jasprit Bumrah is not part of 4th Test in Ahmedabad – Virat Kohli

Jasprit Bumrah
Image: BCCI Twitter

Though the pink ball Test is known to support the seamers, it was a totally different scenario after India defeated England within two days and it was the spinners who got the majority of the wickets.

Indian spinners took a combined 19 wickets in a two-day Test affair that ended on February 25. Axar Patel bagged six wickets under his belt while Ravi Ashwin grabbed three, and the last one went to Washington Sundar who got to bowl only three balls.

Seeing the spinners do all the work, Indian pacers, including the star Jasprit Bumrah didn’t have to bowl even a single over in the 2nd innings of the game. Bumrah bowled a total of six overs at the Narendra Modi Stadium and didn’t take any wickets. 

It was seen that Bumrah talked about workload management in the 3rd Test itself, where he had to remain on the field without bowling most of the time.

Talking about the same, Indian skipper Virat Kohli in the post-match presentation had said, “Bumrah said I’m getting workload management while playing the game, and Ishi (Ishant Sharma) said ‘I’m playing my hundredth game and not getting a bowl. Eventually, he (Washington Sundar) was happy that he got three balls in the whole game. He didn’t get any with the bat also – poor guy. Bizarre game – I’ve never been part of a Test match where things have moved so quickly”.

So when Bumrah stated that he would not be available for the selection of the 4th Test due to personal reasons, BCCI made no changes to the squad.

“Jasprit Bumrah made a request to BCCI to be released from India’s squad ahead of the fourth Test owing to personal reasons. Accordingly, the fast bowler has been released, and he will not be available for selection for the fourth Test,” said BCCI in a release.

India has taken a 2-1 lead in the four-match Test series, and the result of the fourth match will decide if the Men in Blue will get a final spot against New Zealand in the World Test Championship finale.

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