Greg Chappell backs Mohammed Siraj as the leader of India’s pace attack
Former India coach Greg Chappell feels that Mohammed Siraj is ready to be the actual leader of the Indian attack, with or without Jasprit Bumrah in the side. Siraj produced a stunning performance on Day 5 of the Oval Test to hand India the win and help them level the series. This happened in the absence of Bumrah, as the star pacer was rested for the game as part of his workload management. Mohammed Siraj returned home as a national hero after India drew the England tour 2-2, with a thrilling 6-wicket win in the final Test at the Oval. The Hyderabad pacer bagged a 9-wicket match haul in the fifth Test, bagging the Player of the Match award for his match-winning spell on the final day. Siraj ended the tour as the highest wicket-taker of the series, picking up 23 scalps in 5 matches. While Jasprit Bumrah was available for just three out of five Test matches, Siraj played throughout the tour and bowled a total of 185.3 overs. In fact, whenever the World No. 1 missed out, Siraj stepped up and made a valuable contribution. Writing in his column on ESPNCricinfo, Former India head coach Greg Chappell has lauded Siraj said that the 31-year-old’s performance at the Oval was a true coming-of-age performance. “To be fair, he has turned in many fine performances before, at the MCG, the Gabba, Perth, Lord’s, Cape Town and Birmingham, but what he did at The Oval was his true coming of age. With or without Bumrah, he is ready to be the spiritual as well as actual leader of Gill’s attack,” said Chappell. “To bowl more than 185 overs in five Test matches over six weeks in any conditions is a physical, mental and emotional marathon. To do so with consistent intensity, while carrying the attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah for stretches, is bordering on heroic. Siraj’s final-innings spell at The Oval – culminating in nine wickets for the match – sealed the game. But it was what led to that moment that truly stood out,” Chappell wrote in his latest column, ‘India’s win at The Oval might herald a golden era for them’ He added While the Indian batters, led by Shubman Gill, scored a lot of runs, Chappell said that Siraj was the reason India looked competitive in the series. Chappell wrote that the Indian quick began the series as a second fiddle and was low on confidence, but he grew with every game and ended up being a hero. “I don’t think it is unfair to say that, despite the many wonderful batting efforts, Siraj was the main reason that India was competitive in the series,” Chappell wrote.
Bumrah Misses Fifth Test Due To Injury, Not Workload
India’s premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval, not for workload management, as initially speculated, but due to a knee injury. Accordind to a report from Mumbai Mirror has confirmed that the decision was precautionary in nature. A report by Mumbai Mirror stated that the decision to not include Bumrah in the fifth Test was precautionary in nature. However, the BCCI, in its statement on 31st July, did not reveal that Bumrah was injured. It simply stated: “Bumrah has been released from India’s squad for the fifth Test of the series against England.” This revelation has now prompted questions about the decision and intention of the BCCI. Jasprit Bumrah’s absence from The Oval Test is being felt more acutely now, as India stare at a potential defeat in the match and the series, with hosts England just 35 runs away from victory while chasing a mammoth 374. As the match heads into the fifth day for a thrilling finish, with India needing four wickets, it has come to light that Bumrah did not choose to skip the Test as part of workload management, but due to injury. He ended the series with 14 wickets in three matches. With the series on the line at The Oval, everybody through Bumrah would push a little more to play in the fifth Test, but an BCCI update put end to all discussions. Mr Jasprit Bumrah has been released from India’s squad for the fifth Test of the series against England. The fifth and final Test of the series is underway at Kennington Oval, London,” the BCCI said in a release. However, a BCCI official clarified the situation, saying: “Unfortunately, Bumrah is suffering from a knee injury. The good thing is that it’s not a major one and won’t require surgery. The BCCI medical team is currently awaiting his scan reports.” The 31-year-old speedster is expected to begin his rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE). Although details of Bumrah’s injury are yet to be known, the 31-year-old might have injured his knee during the fourth Test in Manchester. Recently a viral video that surfaced online, caught Bumrah limping while climbing the stairs at Old Trafford. The report stated that Bumrah will head to BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) straight from England and is expected to begin his rehabilitation. With no international commitments in August, the Indian teams will next be seen in the United Arab Emirates in the Asia Cup 2025, starting on September 9, followed by a Test series against West Indies at home. However, recent reports have stated that Bumrah might be rested for the Asia Cup 2025 and keep him fresh for the Test series against the Caribbean. Bumrah has a long injury history. Earlier this year, he suffered a back stress fracture sustained during the New Year’s Test in Sydney on India’s tour of Australia. Now, this knee injury marks a fresh fitness concern. Meanwhile, England edged closer to a series win on Sunday. On Day 4 at The Oval, Joe Root (105) and Harry Brook (111) stitched a 195-run partnership, helping England reach 339/6, just 35 runs shy of their target.
Jasprit Bumrah could miss out on the Asia Cup T20 due to workload management
India’s star pacer Jasprit Bumrah could miss out on the Asia Cup T20 due to workload management. Bumrah was released from the Indian team during the England tour as he chose not to play the fifth Test at The Oval to keep himself away from injury. The 31-year-old bowled 119.4 overs across the three games and picked up 14 wickets, including two fifers – at Headingley and Lord’s. However, in his third Test in the series, Bumrah struggled as he conceded more than 100 runs in a single innings for the first time in his career. Prior to India’s tour of England, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir had said that Bumrah would not play all five Tests as part of his workload management plan. India’s next international assignment is Asia Cup T20 tournament and it would be a surprise if Bumrah opts to play the tournament considering that the next Test series against West Indies will start in less than a week’s time after the event in the UAE. With the Asia Cup 2025 scheduled from September 9 to 28, the selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar faces a tricky question. Given the form and strength of the Indian team, they are expected to go deeper into the tournament. With the Test series against the West Indies scheduled in less than a week’s time after the Asia Cup in the UAE, Bumrah is unlikely to play the Asia Cup. “It will be a tricky call but Bumrah loves Test cricket and there are World Test Championship points at stake. As far as T20 is concerned, he can play the series against New Zealand in January, which will be a dress rehearsal for the T20 World Cup,” a BCCI source abreast with Indian selection process told PTI on conditions of anonymity. “If Bumrah plays Asia Cup and suppose India plays the final, no way can he play against West Indies at Ahmedabad. Obviously the question arises, do you need Bumrah against West Indies or he plays Asia Cup after a month’s break and plays the two Tests against South Africa. That call, Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir will have to take,” the source added. Bumrah is not expected to play many ODIs till the T20 World Cup at home.
Gambhir says Bumrah fit, yet to confirm his participation in the Oval Test
India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir spoke on Jasprit Bumrah playing in the fifth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England starting from July 31 at the Oval. Gautam Gambhir has confirmed India have a whole quota of fit fast bowlers to select from for The Oval Test, which they need to win to level the series. Equally significantly, Gambhir didn’t rule out the possibility of Jasprit Bumrah playing a fourth Test after he had said he was good to play only three in the lead-up to the series. “There has been no discussion about anyone and no decision has been made whether Jasprit Bumrah will play in the last test match or not. Ultimately, whoever plays, whether they play or not, they will try and do the job for the country,” Gambhir told media. Bumrah has been the best bowler for the Indian team in the ongoing series, having grabbed 14 wickets with two fifers at an average of 26.00 and an economy rate of 3.04. He also said, “All fast bowlers are fit, there is no injury.” Gambhir emphasized his focus on results, acknowledging India’s 2-1 deficit in the series. Despite the team’s inexperience, he considers it the best Indian team currently and aims to level the series to 2-2. “You’re asking someone who only believes in results. And I’ve always said that in the past as well. I believe in results. We’re still 2-1 down in the series. This is an Indian team. Yes, there is an inexperience, but this is still the best Indian team right now. So for me, I think we’re still down 2-1, and hopefully we can try and make it 2-2. It would be a great achievement,” he added. Gambhir said this India team was an inexperienced side and the results needed to be seen in that light. But he also said that reason doesn’t change the scoreline of the series. He also didn’t want to get carried away with the achievement of drawing at Old Trafford. “When you are put under 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. “And I’m sure going into The Oval, we will be high on confidence, but we can’t take anything for granted. I think it’s going to be a new game, it’s going to be against a strong England side, and we absolutely will be up for it.” It will be interesting to see if India risk Bumrah. His speed, after all, had come down significantly on the third evening of the third Test, where he returned figures of 2/112, his poorest show in his seven-year-long Test career. India’s only win has come when Bumrah opted to sit out of the second Test at Edgbaston. It’s not that the Indian bowling can’t hold its own without him.
Neeraj Chopra claims Jasprit Bumrah could be a perfect fit for javelin throw!
In an interview with former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu during a segment on Star Sports ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra mentioned Jasprit Bumrah could have been a perfect javelin thrower if he was in the field. Neeraj, citing one of the reasons behind his explanation said that running speed is a key essential in javelin throw and Bumrah could have been the ideal for the sport. “I feel it will be fast bowler only. I want to see Jasprit Bumrah in his prime, with proper fitness, try out javelin throw,” he said. Chopra began his 2025 campaign with an invitational meet in Potchefstroom. He bagged gold with an 84.52m throw and showed good form. Then he was next in action at the Diamond League in Doha and surpassed the elusive 90m mark, but had to settle for silver. Having reclaimed the top spot in the javelin throw world rankings, Neeraj Chopra will be back in action at the upcoming inaugural NC Classic, scheduled to be held in Bengaluru on 5th July.
