ten Doeschate on Bumrah: India Leaning Towards Playing Star Pacer in Manchester Test
ten Doeschate on Bumrah has become the focal point of pre-match discussions ahead of the crucial fourth Test between India and England in Manchester. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah is likely to play, calling the upcoming Test a “series-defining moment.” ten Doeschate on Bumrah
Addressing the press ahead of the Manchester clash, ten Doeschate stated:
“We’ll make that call in Manchester still. We know we’ve got him for one of the last two Tests. I think it’s pretty obvious the series is on the line in Manchester, so there will be a leaning towards playing him.”
Bumrah, India’s spearhead pacer and one of the most valuable Test bowlers in world cricket, has been on a rotation policy throughout the series. India had earlier announced that Bumrah would only feature in three of the five Tests as part of workload management. ten Doeschate on Bumrah
India Eyeing Bumrah’s Impact for Manchester Decider
India currently finds itself in a position where the fourth Test could decide the fate of the series. Given Bumrah’s match-winning ability, particularly in English conditions, the team management appears keen to include him — especially when the stakes are highest.
“We’ll look at all the factors — how many days of cricket are we going to get up there? What do we feel is our best chance of winning that game?” ten Doeschate added. “And then how that fits in together with the Oval, and looking at the last two games holistically as part of the series.”
The team’s strategy, according to ten Doeschate, is to view the remaining matches as a two-Test block, balancing workload, fitness, and tactical demands. ten Doeschate on Bumrah
Siraj’s Workload Now a Key Talking Point
While Bumrah’s return dominates headlines, ten Doeschate also turned attention to Mohammad Siraj, who has played all three Tests so far. His relentless work rate has been crucial to India’s bowling success, but fatigue is a real concern.
“He’s not someone who’s going to shy away from workload, so it makes it even more important for us to manage his workload,” ten Doeschate remarked.
“In terms of heart, he’s like a lion, and what he brings to this bowling attack — whenever he has the ball in hand, you feel something is going to happen.”
India will weigh Siraj’s bowling load against possible replacements or rotational options like Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, or even resting him if necessary. ten Doeschate on Bumrah
Arshdeep Singh Injury Adds to Selection Complications
To complicate matters further, left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh sustained a hand injury during a practice session. According to ten Doeschate, the injury involved a cut to his hand, and its severity will determine his availability. ten Doeschate on Bumrah
“Yeah, he took a ball while he was bowling and tried to stop it — it’s just a cut. The medical team have taken him to see a doctor. Whether he needs stitches or not will influence our plans.”
With Arshdeep’s participation uncertain, India may have limited options for left-arm variation in the seam attack — something that could be vital at Old Trafford, where bounce and angle play a big role.
Pant’s Finger Injury and Jurel’s Readiness
Another key concern for India is Rishabh Pant, who suffered a painful finger injury while keeping in the third Test. He did not keep for the rest of the match and struggled while batting too.
“He batted with quite a lot of pain in the third Test. Keeping is obviously the last part of the process — we don’t want to go through that again where we have to replace the keeper midway,” said ten Doeschate.
India is closely monitoring Pant’s recovery, and if he’s not fully fit, Dhruv Jurel could step in as wicketkeeper. The final decision will be made after observing Pant’s recovery over the next few days.
Selection Puzzle: Bumrah In, Who Misses Out?
If Bumrah plays, and Siraj is retained, the team management faces a selection dilemma over which fast bowler to rest — particularly if Arshdeep is ruled out. ten Doeschate on Bumrah
Also, the Manchester pitch and weather conditions could influence whether India opts for an extra spinner, sticks to four fast bowlers, or balances both with Ravindra Jadeja continuing as the all-rounder.
Series Context: A Must-Win for Momentum
With the series finely poised, the fourth Test holds immense importance. A win in Manchester would give India the upper hand going into the Oval finale. Bumrah’s inclusion could tip the scales in their favour — but only if other parts of the team hold firm under pressure. ten Doeschate on Bumrah
The management has been clear that the decision will be performance and context driven, not reputation-based. That said, a fully fit Bumrah is almost impossible to ignore when the series is on the line.
Final Thoughts
ten Doeschate on Bumrah reflects India’s clear thinking ahead of a pivotal moment in the series. While Bumrah’s presence could be a game-changer, the team must also navigate multiple variables: Siraj’s fatigue, Arshdeep’s hand injury, and Pant’s wicketkeeping fitness. ten Doeschate on Bumrah
With the Manchester Test approaching, all eyes will be on India’s playing XI announcement — and whether their big match man, Jasprit Bumrah, returns to lead the charge once again.
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