Bumrah’s Lord’s Ambition Complicates India’s Selection Decisions
The India-England Test series has been off to a thrilling start, with the first match ending in a draw at Edgbaston. However, the real challenge for the Indian team lies ahead, as they prepare to face England at Lord’s in just three days. One of the key considerations for India’s selection committee will be managing the workload of their star fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah.
In an exclusive interview with cricket.com, former England cricketer Mike Atherton spoke about the challenge of managing Bumrah’s workload, highlighting the pacer’s desire to play at Lord’s and its implications for India’s crucial selection decisions in the ongoing series.
“Bumrah would want his name on the Lord’s Honour Board, I’m sure of that,” Atherton said. “He’s a bowler who thrives on the big occasions, and Lord’s is the biggest occasion of them all. He’s a bowler who would want to be part of that tradition, and I think India would want to accommodate him as much as possible.”
Bumrah’s record at Lord’s is impressive, with 14 wickets in two Tests at an average of 23.71. His ability to take wickets on the seamer-friendly conditions at Lord’s makes him a crucial component of India’s bowling attack. However, his workload has been a concern in recent times, with India’s team management taking a cautious approach to ensure he remains fit and firing throughout the series.
Atherton believes that India’s selection committee will have to carefully weigh up the risks and rewards of playing Bumrah at Lord’s. “They’ll have to weigh up the importance of winning the series, and whether playing Bumrah at Lord’s is worth the risk of potentially burning him out for the rest of the series,” he said.
Former England fast bowler Mark Wood echoed Atherton’s sentiments, highlighting the importance of managing Bumrah’s workload in the context of the entire series. “You’ve got to think about the bigger picture, not just one game,” Wood said. “You don’t want to burn him out too quickly, or risk losing him for the rest of the series. But at the same time, you want to give him every opportunity to perform at his best, especially at a ground like Lord’s.”
The selection committee will also have to consider the availability of Bumrah’s fellow fast bowlers, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma. Both bowlers have struggled for form in the series so far, and India may need to rely on them to support Bumrah at Lord’s.
Atherton believes that Shami and Sharma will be under pressure to perform at Lord’s, and that their availability will depend on how they bowl in the next two days. “Shami and Sharma will have to bowl well in the next two days to justify their selection,” he said. “If they don’t, then India may have to think about leaving one of them out and bringing in someone else.”
Wood also believes that the selection committee will have to consider alternative options, such as the uncapped fast bowler, Prasidh Krishna. “Prasidh Krishna has been bowling well in the nets, and he’s someone who could be an option if India want to rotate their bowlers,” Wood said. “He’s got pace, and he’s got a good record in the first-class game. He’s definitely someone who could be considered.”
In conclusion, the selection committee’s decision on whether to play Bumrah at Lord’s will be a crucial one. While his desire to play at Lord’s is understandable, the team’s management must also consider the bigger picture and the risk of burning him out. India’s selection committee will have to carefully weigh up the options and make a decision that balances individual ambition with the needs of the team.
