India will head to Rajkot next to take on England in IND vs ENG 3rd Test which will commence from February 15. Jasprit Bumrah is expected to take a call on his availability for the Rajkot Test. However, there are several reasons as to why the pacer should skip or be rested for the 3rd Test.
IND vs ENG: Will India need Bumrah’s services at Rajkot?
First and foremost, Bumrah should be rested keeping in mind the workload management. With three more Tests to go followed by IPL 2024 and the T20 World Cup 2024, it is pertinent for India to tread cautiously with Bumrah. He will be the spearhead of India’s bowling attack in T20 World Cup. Adding to this is Bumrah’s history with injuries. His full-fledged participation in the five-match Test series might put his own body in jeopardy.
Secondly, the pitch at Rajkot will not be a one that would favour the pacer. With a flat track expected to be presented at the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) stadium, there will be little use for India to have the services of Bumrah.
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Rajkot bowlers’ graveyard
Throwback to the last Test that happened at the venue in 2018. India took on West Indies in a huge one-sided battle which they emerged victorious in. What is to be noted is the number of runs conceded by the pacers at the venue.
India scored a mammoth 649 runs before declaring the 1st innings, with three batters going on to score tons. With a similar batting pitch expected at Rajkot, it would make little sense for India to use the Bumrah weapon. A game’s rest for the pacer would mean he could be better utilised in the remainder of the games in this series.
- 1. Highest total – 649/9d (India vs West Indies, 2018)
- 2. Most runs: Cheteshwar Pujara (228)
- 3, Most wickets: Ravichandran Ashwin (9)
- 4. Lowest total – 181 (West Indies, 2018)
- 5. Results: 1 Won, 1 Draw
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