Jasprit Bumrah's availability announced for Oval Test as Gautam Gambhir ditches workload management plans

India National Cricket Team head coach Gautam Gambhir has confirmed the availability of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for the fifth and final Test of the series against the England National Cricket Team.

Gautam Gambhir said that there are no injury concerns in the team with regards to fast bowlers, and all of them, including Jasprit Bumrah, are fully fit and available for the last Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025.

Also Read: Ben Stokes ruled out of Oval Test? England captain says, “Likelihood that I won’t play…”

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All the fast bowlers are fit - Gautam Gambhir

India pulled off a historic draw in the fourth Test match against England at Old Trafford in Manchester, thanks to a remarkable batting show from Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and KL Rahul in the third innings.

Now the teams will head towards the Kennington Oval in London for the final Test, starting on July 31, with England leading by 2-1 against India.

India had some injury concerns in the pace-bowling department heading into the Manchester Test, with Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep getting ruled out, and this forced selectors to rope in Anshul Kamboj.

Then, in the match, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj had some trouble with their ankle, and the speeds of the pace spearhead also went significantly down. That was not all, as debutant Anshul Kamboj also bowled at very low speeds, and many experts felt he was not fully fit.

However, Gautam Gambhir has confirmed India have a whole quota of fit fast bowlers for the series finale and there are no injury issues. He said, "All the fast bowlers are fit. There are no injury concerns."

No decision has been made on whether Jasprit Bumrah will play or not - Gautam Gambhir

Jasprit Bumrah entered the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy with a pre-planned goal to only feature in three out of five Tests, and he completed his quota of matches in Manchester.

But with the series line, many have called for Jasprit Bumrah to ditch his workload management plans and feature in the Oval Test against England.

While talking about the pace spearhead, India head coach Gautam Gambhir said that they are yet to make a decision on Bumrah's participation, even though he is available for selection. He said:

"We haven't had any conversation around the combination for the last Test. No decision has been made on whether Jasprit Bumrah will play or not. Ultimately, whoever plays, they will try and do the job for the country."

Yes there is inexperience but this is still the best Indian team right now - Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir further said that they are hoping that the inexperienced Indian team will be able to win the fifth Test and end the series in a draw. He said:

"You are asking someone who only believes in results. I've said that in the past as well, that I believe in results. We are still 2-1 down in the series. This is the Indian team. Yes there is inexperience but this is still the best Indian team right now. So for me, I think we are still down 2-1. And hopefully we can try and make it 2-2. That's going to be a good achievement."

"When you are put under the pressure, and you end up batting five sessions, I think that's great character. Anything that you do in these conditions, when you are put under pressure and you come out of those pressure moments, it is always a great feeling, and it just ends up giving a lot of confidence in the dressing room as well."