Alright, let’s face it—when news broke that Jasprit Bumrah would not be playing in the fifth and final England vs India Test at The Oval, fans let out a collective “not again!” With the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy on the line, and India down 1-2, you need your best warrior in the battle. But here’s the thing: taking Bumrah out of the line-up might an India the best decision they made all series. It’s hard to swallow, but when you push through the gut feeling of disappointment, the logic makes sense.
The Speed Gun Doesn’t Lie — Bumrah’s Pace Has Dropped
If you’ve been closely watching Bumrah in this series, you probably noticed something was… off. The zip? Missing. The fireballs over 145 kmph? Few and far between. Stats show a significant drop in the percentage of deliveries clocking over 140 kmph across the three Tests he’s played. By the Manchester Test, he was barely hitting that mark—even with the second new ball in hand.
It’s not the first time Bumrah’s engine has started to sputter near the finish line of a big series. Anyone recall the Australia Tour when he broke down after multiple exhausting performances? India was without him in some pretty significant matches, and the risk of that happening again is just not worth it – better to pull the plug now, rather than regret it.
That Ankle Twist Is More Than Just a Niggle
Word from the camp is that Bumrah suffered an ankle injury while walking up the stairs at Old Trafford. That sounds harmless, right? But if you saw him bowl after this incident, you’d know otherwise. His run-up was not the same – it was a little ginger – and he was not as full throttle as we are used to seeing.
Sure, he powered through, took the ball with the second new cherry, and gave it his best. But was it vintage Bumrah? Nope. India’s support staff knows how slippery these minor-looking injuries can get. With just days between Tests, pushing him to play again could easily escalate the issue. We’ve seen how ankle troubles, once aggravated, can become season-enders for pacers. Why risk it for one match, even if it’s a series decider?
Too Precious to Play? Bumrah’s Long Game Matters More
Let’s take a moment for reflection. At 31 years old, Bumrah is the most rounded fast bowler in India, with red-ball, white-ball, or day-glow pink—no question. Whether it is the T20 World Cup in 2026 or the huge 50-over clash in 2027, the Men in Blue will need a fully catalyzed Bumrah. And they have a sizable Test tour to South Africa and the West Indies, to think about.
In that context, asking him to play one more match simply to make the series even strikes me as being quite short-sighted. The risk? Losing him for the whole season. There are some promising indications regarding India’s pace stock, but the reality is they are unproven. Bumrah’s value to the Indian Team is not merely as a wicket-taker, but as an experienced bowler and leader with a different level of psychological impact compared to anyone else when he comes to bowl.
So yes, it stings now. But smart teams win tournaments by thinking ahead, not reacting in panic. Bumrah’s absence in the fifth Test might hurt—but his presence in future finals will more than make up for it.
Cricket fans, what do you think—was this a cautious call or a missed opportunity? Let’s chat in the comments!
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