Subhayan Chakraborty in Manchester
As India prepare for the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, Manchester, starting July 23, the team faces critical decisions regarding its playing XI. With Jasprit Bumrah returning at Lord’s after being rested at Edgbaston, and with enough break before the Manchester Test, the pace attack is expected to feature Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep, leaving little room for Arshdeep Singh.
The Indian pace trio of Bumrah, Siraj, and Akash has shown enough potency in the series to justify their retention over Arshdeep, who remains untested in Test cricket, unless workload management kicks in.
Bumrah has been India’s standout bowler in the series, demonstrating his value as the attack leader. Bumrah has picked up a fifer each in the two Tests he has featured in, and averages 21. Though there has been strict workload management with regard to Bumrah, he will get a gap of nine days before the fourth Test. With the series on the line, Bumrah is a no-brainer.
Akash Deep has been a revelation in this series, particularly in the second Test at Edgbaston, where India secured a historic 336-run victory, their first at the venue and the biggest Test win by runs away from home. Akash claimed a maiden six-fer in the second innings and a remarkable ten-wicket match haul, showcasing his ability to hit the right lengths and move the ball both ways on a batter-friendly pitch. if only there could be a case of resting Akash, then it would be due to the recent back niggle that kept him out from the India A games and the first Test. Notably, Akash had picked up a mild back injury after the completion of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. After long shifts at Edgbaston and Lord’s, Akash could pave the way for Arshdeep. But that wouldn’t be a performance-basis move.
Siraj would be hurting after the Lord’s defeat, especially because of the way the ball tickled onto the stumps to send England 2-1 up. Siraj has been a mainstay in India’s pace attack, though his stats in this series reflect lack of luck with the ball. Siraj sits with 13 wickets, the most in the series. After a mediocre Headingley Test, Siraj bounced back with a six-wicket haul in the first innings at Edgbaston, playing a key role in India’s victory. He would be restless to go out there and help India overcome the Lord’s heartbreak.
Arshdeep is undoubtedly a world-class white-ball bowler, with his 99 T20I dismissals making him India’s all-time leading wicket-taker in the format. His ability to swing the ball, as seen in his 13 wickets at an average of 41.76 in five County Championship matches for Kent in 2023, suggests potential in red-ball cricket. However, the numbers are far from promising for a Test debut. Arshdeep has been sweating it out at the nets, even bowling impressive spells but debut looks tough unless Bumrah or Akash Deep is rested due to workload management.
However, the buildup during the Manchester Test will send clear signals on how the team could shape up for the decisive Test of the five-match rubber.
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