India face a crucial decision on star pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah's fitness ahead of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford starting Wednesday, with the series at stake. England lead 2-1 and can secure the series with a victory in Manchester, as India grapple with selection challenges.
India, trailing in the five-match series after their 22-run defeat at Lord's, must win to keep alive their hopes of claiming their first Test series victory in England since 2007. The decision on Bumrah's availability has become more critical due to injuries to Nitish Kumar Reddy and Arshdeep Singh.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!India coach Gautam Gambhir had previously indicated that Bumrah would only be available for three matches in the series due to his back injury. If selected for Manchester, Bumrah could miss a potential series-deciding fifth Test.
Bumrah, currently ranked as the world's top Test bowler, has only played in the first and third Tests, both resulting in losses for India, while sitting out the second Test which India won. The 31-year-old's back concerns has limited his availability in the series.
The third Test at Lord's showcased the impact of all-rounders Ben Stokes and Ravindra Jadeja. Stokes contributed 77 runs across two innings, claimed five wickets, and executed a crucial run-out of Rishabh Pant.
Stokes, at 34, bowled 44 overs, including lengthy spells on the final day, marking his highest bowling workload in over six years.
"It was an incredible effort to be able to do that, but that's just how he's built, I guess. He's just desperate to be the man and make things happen," said Joe Root.
Jadeja, 36, demonstrated his value with an unbeaten 61 from 181 balls in India's near-successful chase at Lord's. His consistent performances include scores of 72 in the first innings at Lord's and 89 and 69 in the second Test at Edgbaston.
"I always felt he has the ability to take pressure. With so much of experience, he normally comes with something that the team needs in any challenging conditions. Really, really valuable to the team," said India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak.
India vs England Test record at Old Trafford, Manchester
India and England have played nine Test matches at Old Trafford with India winning none of them. Four Test matches have gone England's way while the rest have been draws.
Head-to-headMatches: 9India won: 0England won: 4Draws: 5List of matches1936: England and India drew
1946: England and India drew
1952: England won by an innings and 207 runs
1959: England won by 171 runs
1971: England and India drew
1974: England won by 113 runs
1982: England and India drew
1990: England and India drew
2014: England won by an innings and 54 runs
India vs England records at Old TraffordOverall Highest score: England 571/8d vs India in 1936
India highest score: 432 vs England in 1990
Overall Lowest score: India 58 vs England in 1952
England lowest score: 153/5d vs India in 1946
Most runs by an Englishman at Old Trafford: Wally Hammond - 244 runs
Most runs by an Indian at Old Trafford: Sunil Gavaskar - 242 runs
Highest individual score at Old Trafford: Mohammad Azharuddin - 179 runs in 1990
Highest individual score by an Englishman at Old Trafford: Wally Hammond - 167 runs in 1936
Most wickets by an Englishman at Old Trafford: Alec Bedser - 18 wickets
Most wickets by an Indian at Old Trafford - Vinoo Mankad - 9 wickets
Best bowling figures by an Englishman at Old Trafford - Fred Trueman - 8/31
Best bowling figures by an Indian at Old Trafford - Dilip Doshi - 6/102
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