Suresh Raina says Jasprit Bumrah’s availability for 4th Test will depend on doctor’s call

Former Indian batter Suresh Raina believes the team’s doctor and medical staff will take a final call on Jasprit Bumrah’s availability for the fourth Test match against England at Old Trafford. Bumrah is going to hold the key for the visitors as he has been ticking the right boxes.

It has been already revealed by the team management that Bumrah is going to play only three out of five Test matches against England. The ace pacer has scalped 12 wickets in two Test matches at an average of 21, including two five-wicket hauls in the ongoing series.

Bumrah had suffered a back injury in the fifth Test match against Australia at Sydney and since then the selectors and team’s think tank want to manage his workload with guile.

Suresh Raina said on ANI, “I think it is a doctor’s call to be honest. I know my body. I know my doctor. I know what guidelines he is giving me, how to play the game. So I think with Bumrah, I think he is a legend. I think he knows his workload, how to manage himself, and look at his performance at Lord’s, he registered his place in the Lord’s Honours Board.”

On the other hand, Rishabh Pant also suffered a finger injury in the first innings of the third Test at Lord’s. In his place, Dhruv Jurel had kept the wickets in both innings. 

Raina added, “Rishabh Pant had an injury on his finger too. So it is very important for both of them (to play their fourth Test). If they have to draw the series or if they have to try to win the game, then I think it will be very important for both of them to feature in the fourth Test.”

Pant has scored 425 runs in three Test matches against England and he is the second-highest run-getter in the series. 

The fourth Test match between England and India will be played at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, from July 23 onwards.