Reports: Jasprit Bumrah is free to choose whether or not to participate in the Rajkot Test

Ever since rising to the top of the ICC Test bowling rankings on Wednesday, February 7, popular Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has become the talk of the town. After his match-winning 9/91 against England in Visakhapatnam, Bumrah moved three spots to dethrone his partner Ravichandran Ashwin of India.

Notably, Jasprit Bumrah has participated in four straight Test matches since December 26, 2023. According to numerous sources, the team management may decide to rest him for the third Test, which will take place at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on February 15.

The Indian Express said that Jasprit Bumrah is free to choose whether or not to participate in the third test, as per the team management’s decision. The selection committee will presumably decide whether to include him on the team after receiving a report from the medical team on how well he manages his workload. The speedster will, however, have complete discretion over whether or not to participate.

Notably, as the series’ top wicket-taker thus far, Jasprit Bumrah has shattered the England batting with his blistering pace and variety. After four innings, the speedster has taken 15 wickets at an economy of 2.76 and an average of 10.66. During the second Test at Visakhapatnam, the 30-year-old recorded his second-best career figures (9/91) and third-best Test innings figures (6/45).

In Rajkot, Mohammed Siraj will also return.

He destroyed his stumps with perfect accuracy in the first inning, and his spectacular yorker to Ollie Pope turned into the game’s high point.

Aside from Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj’s comeback in the third Test will provide even more support to India’s seam attack.

Mukesh Kumar struggled in his debut Test match in India while he was out, giving up 70 runs in 12 overs over two innings and taking only one wicket. On Thursday, February 8, the BCCI is expected to reveal the team for the final three Test matches, although Virat Kohli’s availability is still unknown. But it looks like Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul will make a comeback in the next Test.