There is more trouble for India. The visitors’ chances of squaring the series in the second Test match at Lord’s took a beating after it was learnt that ace fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah in all likelihood will not regain his full fitness on time.
The Indian team management was hoping to include Bumrah in the second Test match to plug the loopholes in the seam bowling department after their heart-breaking 31-run defeat in the first Test at Birmingham but according to CricketNext, Bumrah’s broken thumb will require more time to heal.
The fast bowler suffered the injury during the 1st T20I against Ireland, last month and had to undergo a surgery in England. He was included in the Test squad for England tour with BCCI declaring that he will be available for selection from the second Test match but the latest developments suggest otherwise.
The only silver lining is the fact that Bumrah has been bowling regularly in the nets. The fractured being on his left hand, Bumrah does not have any difficulty bowling in full tilt. However, the thumb can cause problems while batting and fielding and according to sources that is the major roadblock of Bumrah’s selection in the second Test match.
Though the Indian bowling unit did a fine job at Birmingham, there were question marks over Umesh Yadav’s performance, which was far from his best in both innings, leaking runs at crucial junctures. Keeping in mind the seamer-friendly conditions at Lord’s, Bumrah could have been an ideal choice in place of Umesh in the second Test match.
India is also without the services of Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the first three Test matches. The second Test begins on August 9.