India's team management has decided to play their pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah in three of the five Tests series against England and have been considering to bring him in the fourth Test in Manchester next week, reports Reuters.
Since Bumrah's return from a back surgery earlier this year, his workload has been managed with caution and using him sparingly is currently the safest way for the visitors.
If India is defeated in Manchester, England would win the series 3-1, thus preserving the key paceman for the final Test at Oval may be a poor decision compared to playing him in the third. Bumrah had skipped the second Test in Birmingham.
"We know we have got him for one of the last two tests," assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate told Reuters along with other reporters after a training session on Thursday.
"It's pretty obvious that the series is on the line now in Manchester, so there will be a leaning towards playing him."
"But again, we have got to look at all the factors: 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."
Bumrah hauled five-wickets in both of the two Tests at Leeds and Lord's during the tour of England solidifying his fame as his era's best bowler in all formats. However, his spells failed to bring the necessary fortune the tourists side required for victories.
During Thursday's practice keeper Rishabh Pant did not bat over a finger injury at Lord's.
Ten Doeschate said he has confidence that Pant will be consistent with his roles with the bat and behind the stumps in keeper's gloves in Manchester.
"Look, I don't think you're going to keep Rishabh out of the test no matter what," Doeschate said, who is a former Dutch international.
"He batted with quite a lot of pain in the third test and it's only going to get easier and easier on his finger."
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