Manchester: As the fiercely contested India-England Test series heads into its fourth and penultimate match at Old Trafford, Manchester, the debate over team combinations has intensified. On JioHotstar’s cricket talk show Follow The Blues, former India captain and JioHotstar expert Anil Kumble and India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate shared key insights on selection headaches, injury updates, and the squad’s mindset ahead of a critical showdown.
Kumble: Bumrah Must Play Both Tests
Anil Kumble didn’t mince words when it came to India’s bowling plans. He emphasized the irreplaceable value of Jasprit Bumrah in the side, particularly with the series in the balance.
“I would certainly push for Bumrah to play the next game because that’s crucial,” Kumble said. “If he doesn’t and India lose, the series would be done and dusted. Bumrah should feature in both remaining Tests. There’s a long break after this, and he doesn’t need to be part of the home series if he wants rest. But right now, India need him.”
Bumrah, who had earlier hinted at playing only three Tests in the five-match series, may be reconsidered for back-to-back appearances given the context and magnitude of the moment.
Ten Doeschate: Manchester Test Is Key
Ryan ten Doeschate confirmed that the final decision on Bumrah would be made in Manchester itself but hinted strongly at his inclusion for the fourth Test.
“We’ll make the call in Manchester. We know we’ve got him available for one of the last two Tests, and with the series on the line, that’s where we’re leaning,” he said. “But we are looking at both matches holistically — what combination gives us the best chance overall, not just at Manchester.”
Siraj Injury and Harshit Rana Watch
Speaking about pace partner Mohammed Siraj, ten Doeschate praised his courage and work ethic, revealing a minor injury scare:
“He took a blow while bowling — tried to stop a ball, ended up with a cut. It’s nothing serious, but we’ll assess if it needs stitches. He’s a lion-hearted cricketer who never backs down from hard work. But we’ll make the call on his fitness closer to the match, also keeping Harshit Rana in mind.”
Pant’s Recovery on Track
When asked about Rishabh Pant’s status, ten Doeschate assured fans that the wicketkeeper-batsman was on course for a full return:
“He batted through pain during the third Test. He’ll definitely bat in Manchester. As for wicket-keeping, that’s the final step in his recovery. We’re just ensuring his finger gets adequate rest and he’s fully ready. We can’t afford another in-match keeper change. But as things stand, Rishabh will bat and keep in Manchester.”
Dhruv Jurel Waiting in the Wings
Ten Doeschate confirmed that Dhruv Jurel remains a viable backup option, but all indications point toward Pant’s availability for both batting and keeping duties.
As India eye a series lead, the selection choices at Manchester could define the outcome. With the stakes sky-high, all eyes are now on Jasprit Bumrah — India’s ace in the pace pack — as the team management weighs the risks and rewards of unleashing him once again.
