India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is reportedly unlikely to feature in the full length of the upcoming Test series against England. The five-match series, which begins on June 20, will see a revised Indian squad take the field, with official announcements from the BCCI expected on Saturday, May 24.
With senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli having retired from the red-ball format, the core of the squad from the Australia tour is expected to remain intact, though a few new additions are anticipated.
Bumrah has already informed the BCCI that his body is not capable of handling the physical demands of more than three Test matches. “With Jasprit Bumrah already informing the board that his body can’t take the toll of more than three Tests matches, the selection committee were known to be in a dilemma on whether to fly out with a similarly iffy bowler,” a report stated. This update presents a significant setback for India, especially after Bumrah led the side in the final Test of the Australia series, only to suffer a back injury that ruled him out after the match.
India had lost that series 1-3, and Bumrah’s absence for part of the England tour only deepens concerns, particularly with fellow fast bowler Mohammed Shami also in doubt. While Shami has returned to bowl for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, reports suggest he may not yet have the necessary red-ball fitness to endure the rigours of Test cricket. His last appearance in the longest format came during the World Test Championship final against Australia in 2023.
A medical team from the BCCI reportedly visited Lucknow this week to evaluate Shami’s condition ahead of Hyderabad’s match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. While a decision is still pending, the selectors are expected to exercise caution unless they receive a strongly positive assessment from the board’s medical staff.
With both Bumrah and Shami potentially missing a significant portion of the England tour, India’s bowling department faces an uphill task. Their absence would mean increased responsibility on the shoulders of emerging bowlers, making the upcoming squad announcement one to watch closely.
