Former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta has strongly advocated for Jasprit Bumrah’s inclusion in the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy against England, scheduled to begin on July 23 at Old Trafford in Manchester. With India trailing 1-2 in the five-match of India Vs England series, Dasgupta believes the return of the premier fast bowler is essential to help the visitors level the series and keep their hopes alive.
“Jasprit Bumrah in the fourth Test, absolutely yes,” Dasgupta said during a segment on JioHotstar. “I've heard rumors that the plan for him was to play in the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Tests. But since India is 2-1 behind, the fourth Test becomes very, very crucial for a comeback. You would definitely want the world's best bowler to play.”
Bumrah's Fitness Remains Key
India’s approach to managing Bumrah’s workload had been clearly outlined before the series began. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir had announced that Bumrah would be rested from at least two Tests during the series to ensure he remained fresh, with expectations that he would feature in the 1st, 3rd, and 5th matches.
However, the current scenario—with India having lost both Tests Bumrah has played, despite his stellar individual performances—has prompted fresh scrutiny.
The ace pacer claimed five-wicket hauls in the first innings at both Headingley and Lord’s, showcasing his match-winning ability even in defeat. With India looking to stage a fightback, Dasgupta believes this is not the time to hold back their most potent weapon.
Should Bumrah Play?
“And there is a gap of 8 days between the two Test matches. The fifth Test will only be relevant depending on what happens in the fourth — and that's something to worry about later. But the relevance of the fourth Test is very high,” Dasgupta added, emphasizing the urgency of fielding the best possible XI in Manchester.
India’s 22-run loss in the third Test at Lord’s—despite a spirited fightback led by Ravindra Jadeja and the lower order—has placed pressure on the Shubman Gill-led side heading into the must-win match at Old Trafford.
The final Test of the series will be played at The Oval from July 31 to August 4, but as Dasgupta rightly pointed out, the series might be out of reach if India don’t turn things around in Manchester.
With Bumrah’s fitness intact and a full eight-day rest period available, the selectors and team management now face a critical decision—whether to stick to the original rotation policy or unleash their strike bowler when it matters most.
