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| image credit : icc |
India is considering whether to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the Third Test next week, and Virat Kohli may miss the rest of the Test series against England.For personal reasons, the powerful Kohli had originally declared himself out of the first two games of the five-match series. Since then, it has come to light that he is anticipated to be ruled out of both the Fourth Test the next week and the Rajkot Test, which begins this coming week.
There are also reports that his availability for the dramatic series finale at the start of next month is uncertain. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has not released any information regarding his availability.
The home team has already lost a lot of runs due to Kohli's experience and run-scoring ability. He has 8,848 Test runs at an average of little under 50 from 113 international matches.
In an attempt to limit the 30-year-old's workload, selectors are debating whether to keep Bumrah out of the starting XI, which has dealt the hosts a double blow ahead of the Third Test.
Even though there are ten days between the conclusion of the Second Test and the start of the next, India's management is hesitant to take a chance on another setback for such a significant player after the fast bowler had back surgery last year.
The players and coaching staff will also be long-term aware of the T20 World Cup in early June and the approaching Indian Premier League.
With a masterclass in fast bowling, Bumrah took nine wickets over the course of four days, helping his team tie the series in Vizag on Monday. India won by 106 runs, holding England to scores of less than 300 runs in either of their two innings.
Mohammed Siraj is anticipated to take Bumrah's spot if he is rested for the Third Test, with Bumrah slated to return for the final two games of the series.
Apart from Bumrah, a close series has been controlled by spin bowling thus far. It is unlikely that pace bowling will have much of an impact on the series until the Fifth Test in Dharamasala. India is eager to give Siraj more playing time so that he may partner with Bumrah in a dual-pace attack in what may end up being the series decider.
India's pace options are restricted due to Mohammed Shami's injury. Shami was the standout bowler during the World Cup last year. In just seven matches, he grabbed 24 wickets at an average of just over 10.
Shami is unlikely to compete in any of the series' games, the last of which starts on March 7, as he has been recovering from an ankle ailment for which he is now receiving treatment.