Team India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate on Friday gave a massive update on the availability of Jasprit Bumrah for the fourth Test match, which will be played at Old Trafford in Manchester, starting from July 23.Before the start of the tour, it was made clear by chief selector Ajit Agarkar that Bumrah would only play three Test matches due to workload management. Bumrah missed the Edgbaston Test, which India won.“No, we’ll make that call in Manchester,” ten Doeschate told reporters.“We’ve got him for one of the last two Tests, and it’s pretty obvious with the series on the line — Manchester — so there will be a leaning towards playing him.“But again, if we look at all the factors — you know, how many days of cricket are we going to get up there? What do we feel is our best chance of winning that game? And then how that fits in together with the Oval, and looking at the last two games holistically as part of the series,” he said.
Is workload overrated?
Ten Doeschate lauded England captain Ben Stokes, who bowled 18 overs in the fourth innings and played a pivotal role in the hosts’ 22-run win at Lord’s.“Look, that was super impressive — for Ben to come out on the last day and bowl the number of overs he did, with the intensity he did, and obviously bats and fields as well. We’re not here to compare our bowlers to individuals from other teams,” he said.
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Should Jasprit Bumrah play in the fourth Test match at Old Trafford?
Ten Doeschate defended India’s decision to not play Bumrah due to workload management.“We have our own strengths. We know what particularly Jasprit does in spells — in shorter spells, which he prefers bowling in,” he said.Citing the example of Mohammed Siraj, who gets into rhythm in the seventh or eighth over, the coach said: “Some bowlers are like that. You get the best out of them in the seventh, eighth, and ninth over. But not everyone has to be the same as that. And we feel that, you know, in consultation with Jasprit, how we use him is the best way for the team.”