ENG vs IND 2025: Morne Morkel provides injury update on Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

Morne Morkel, a former South African cricketer, delivered fitness reports on Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, who both had injury scares during the second session. The Indian coach also stated that the visitors had a far better day with the ball, despite the team’s struggles with its lines on day two of the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester.

England have a 186-run lead, thanks to Joe Root’s superb 150 and skipper Ben Stokes‘ unbeaten 77. India’s problems went beyond the scoreboard, as Bumrah appeared to be uncomfortable after only one over with the new ball. He left the pitch and was hobbling when he returned.

“I thought the guys responded well this morning, especially Siraj and Bumrah with the ball. And from there, we did our best to generate chances. “We could look like we played better than the first couple of days,” Morkel stated in a post-game press conference, as quoted by NDTV Sports.

“So, you know, discipline and sticking to those boundaries were important, and I believe we missed that early. And then, getting back to the injuries, regrettably, when we took the second new ball, Bumrah twisted his ankles going down the stairs, and Siraj, I believe, rolled his foot in one of the footholds, but they appear to be well,” he said.

Pacers had heavy workloads: Morne Morkel

Indian bowling coach also commented on the bowlers delivering well below their average speeds on day three, stating that the surface was flat, requiring bowlers to hit the deck hard to extract even a little bit of zip.

“I mean, to look at the workloads of the guys like Siraj and those sorts of guys, they have had heavy workloads. Anshul, that is his first Test match so far, and it is important for us that we wanted to grow and develop a nice fast bowling unit. So, not too much to judge on that. But yeah, I think it is also a heavier sort of outfield. But in terms of commitment and effort that the guys have put in, I do not think we can fault that,” Morkel added.

We are working on Kamboj’s speed: Morne Morkel

When asked about the inclusion of Anshul Kamboj, Morkel explained that the team was looking for a bowler capable of delivering a high volume of overs with accuracy, particularly targeting tough lines outside the off stump. Addressing concerns about Kamboj’s pace, Morkel denied any fitness issues, confirming that the pacer is fully fit.

“And I think Anshul on a domestic level back home has done that. He had done really well on the India A Tour this year (to England, when he took four wickets in two matches and scored a fifty). And he was a guy whose name has been in the mix for a long time. And, you know, they gave him the opportunity for that,” said Morkel.