ENG vs IND 2018: Jasprit Bumrah Unlikely to be Fit for the Second Test

Team India pacer Jasprit Bumrah is unlikely to be fit for the second Test of the five-match Test series against England at Lord’s Cricket Ground commencing from August 9 (Thursday).

Meanwhile, the selector’s picked Bumrah despite his injury saying that he will be available from the second Test. He sustained a thumb injury during the ODI series against Ireland and since then hasn’t featured for India.

“Jasprit Bumrah is in the squad, will be available for selection from the 2nd Test onwards based on his fitness,” the selectors said at the time of naming the squad.

Jasprit Bumrah made his Test debut against South Africa earlier this year. He played in all the games scalping 14 wickets throughout the series. However, BCCI decided to give him some rest during the one-off Test series against Afghanistan following the Indian Premier League.

According to a report in CricketNext, Jasprit Bumrah will need some more time to be 100 percent match-fit. While Bumrah has been bowling regularly at the nets and keeping ready for when he can get onto the field, the thumb will need a little more time before he can bat, bowl and field with ease.

Meanwhile, the Indian bowlers did a good job picking 20 wickets at Edgbaston, but Umesh Yadav’s form will keep them thinking. He was erratic bowling wrong line and length in both the innings. With the Lord’s known for its slope and the way it aids seam movement, Jasprit Bumrah would have been pivotal for India.

India eyes to bounce back against England

Meanwhile, following their 31-run loss at Edgbaston, India will look to level terms in the second Test against England. The batsmen will have to step up and provide support to Indian skipper Virat Kohli.

Kohli was the lone warrior scoring 200 runs including his debut hundred in England in the first innings. The batsmen undid the great work put in by the India bowlers. While Ravichandran Ashwin bagged seven wickets, Ishant Sharma picked in a fifer in the second essay.

India will be desperate to put in a much-improved effort and level terms in the five-match Test series.