Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has already played two Test matches in this Test series so far. He played the first Test at Headingley and the third at Lord's.
India lost both the Tests he played and won the one in which he was rested at Edgbaston. Meanwhile, India's loss at Lord's has put the team in a difficult position. They will now need to win both the Test matches to win the series.
On the other hand, Gautam Gambhir is worried about Jasprit Bumrah's workload management and former England cricketer David Lloyd has taken a dig at the Indian head coach on where the team stands on Bumrah.
David Lloyd Ridicules Gautam Gambhir's Verdict On Jasprit Bumrah Playing Just 3 Tests
Given that there is more than a week's gap between the third and the fourth Test, Lloyd believes that Jasprit Bumrah might play the next Test in Manchester. However, he said that India needs to be smart about how they use the pacer. He also took a dig at Gambhir's previous comments on Bumrah playing just three Tests in the series.
“It is what they've said and what the coach Gautam Gambhir said that he will play three out of the five Tests. So, he's got a choice. There are two matches to go. He's played two. If they are true to their words, he should play this next game at Old Trafford. But then, you know, they can manoeuvre that, can't they? If he plays this next one at Old Trafford and they get a result to make it 2-2, you'd think he'd play at The Oval as well. I'm second-guessing, but I think he'll play this next game and see where they are. If England go 3-1, he won't play. But if it's 2-2, he will play at the Oval,” said Lloyd on TalkSport Cricket.
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The Curious Case Of Jasprit Bumrah
Meanwhile, there is an interesting stat that has come up after India's defeat at Lord's. India have lost more Test matches when Jasprit Bumrah has been a part of the playing XI. The Men in Blue have lost 20 out of 47 Tests played with Bumrah in the playing XI and have lost 23. On the other hand, they’ve won 19 out of 27 matches without Bumrah since his debut in 2018 and have lost five matches.
However, Bumrah have had a bigger impact on India's Test wins in SENA countries. The team has won 10 out of 33 matches in SENA in Bumrah’s presence, having a winning percentage of 30.30.
Llyod took a dig at the stat as well despite Jasprit Bumrah being the number one pacer in the ICC Test rankings currently. The fourth Test starts from July 23, with a Sky Sports report saying that Bumrah and Rishabh Pant will play in the fourth Test.
“That's extraordinary. There was something that said when he plays they lose more than when he doesn't play, and he is like the best bowler in the world. And he is awkward and nasty with his action, but a thoroughly decent fella,” he added.
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