The series is alive after the miracle in Manchester. India are alive and, in the context of the World Test Chamoionship(WTC) cycle, the result was huge. And that’s what sets up The Oval. Can India draw level and make the most of this opportunity? Can they draw on the momentum and push the bar? Can they grind down a tired English attack and force them to surrender? More importantly, can the bowlers redeem themselves and make a mark? Having conceded 669 in Manchester, the bowling has to improve a few notches. That’s what could be decisive at the Oval.
That’s what brings me to Jasprit Bumrah. Yes, it was announced that he would play only three of the five Tests. Yes, it was about workload management. But then, extraordinary situations call for extraordinary measures, and Bumrah has to put his hand up in London. He is India’s premier bowler and he now has to take the responsibility of leading the new-ball attack in the series finale.
He bowled in just one innings in Manchester and took a break in Birmingham. Unlike the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he was over-bowled, he has been handled very carefully by the Indian management in England. But now, he has to step up. Take up the challenge and do the job. Give it his best shot and not let it go. The truth is, Bumrah can’t miss The Oval in the name of workload management. At the end of the Test, he can easily rest for a month. Even if he doesn’t play the Asia Cup, it wouldn’t be an issue. India have enough T20 bowlers to take his place. But The Oval is special. A huge opportunity for him and for India, and Bumrah must play.
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In Manchester, millions of India fans were stunned to see Rishabh Pant step up the way he did. It was unthinkable at every level to see someone with a broken foot go out there and score runs for his team. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul set the bar really high in the second innings, and Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja made sure India left Manchester as moral victors.
That’s where Bumrah comes in. He hasn’t been as effective as expected this series, and with all to play for at The Oval, it is time to step up. No one has ever doubted his ability and no one ever will. But then, with a Test series on the line, India’s premier bowler can’t sit out citing workload management. That’s a letdown, and someone must speak to Bumrah about it.
A fully charged-up Bumrah and all the momentum from Manchester could make a heady cocktail that floors England. And if that happens, Indian cricket, after some torrid results against New Zealand and Australia, would have turned a new leaf. Bumrah, who did everything humanly possible in Australia to win it for his team, has one more opportunity in London. With the team backing him up, he should not let go of this chance. Yes, I do see Bumrah stepping out for India at The Oval. For the moment, workload management must take a backseat.
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