India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar today confirmed that ace pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah is unlikely to feature in all five Tests of the upcoming series against England, set to begin on June 20. This strategic decision, driven by workload management and fitness concerns, played a significant role in Shubman Gill’s appointment as the new Test captain over Bumrah.
Bumrah may not play all the test matches
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai after announcing the Test squad, Agarkar emphasised the importance of keeping Bumrah fit and available as a frontline bowler. “I don’t think he will be available for all five Tests as far as the physio and the doctors have told us,” Agarkar stated. “They will take a call on whether he will be available for 3-4 Tests. If he is available for 3-4 Tests, he is going to win us a few Test matches… We are happy that he is a part of the squad.”
Bumrah, 31, had served as Rohit Sharma’s deputy and even captained India in two Tests in Australia last season. However, with Rohit and Virat Kohli stepping down from the Test format, the selectors opted for a fresh leadership approach under 25-year-old Shubman Gill.
Agarkar clarified that the decision to not burden Bumrah with full-time captaincy was a conscious one, aimed at preserving his crucial bowling prowess. “I think he’s more important to us as a player. We want him fit,” Agarkar reiterated.
He said, “There’s always that extra burden when you are leading and managing 15-16 people, it takes a lot out of you. We’d rather have him bowling as well as he does than putting that extra burden on him. He’s aware of it. We had a chat with him and he’s okay with it.”
The five-match Test series against England is part of the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship cycle. India will rely on a new-look pace attack, especially with Mohammed Shami also ruled out due to injury. While Bumrah will spearhead the unit, his expected limited participation means that other fast bowlers in the squad, including Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, and Shardul Thakur, will need to step up and share the workload.
India Squad
Squad: Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (vice captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Druv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav. (Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; Editing by Kate Mayberry and Clare Fallon)
(With Reuters Inputs)