India’s captain Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir have stated that no definitive decision has been made regarding which three Tests Jasprit Bumrah will play in the upcoming five-match series against England. However, both expressed confidence in the squad’s fast-bowling depth to compensate for his likely absence in some matches.

“We haven’t taken that call, which three games is he going to play,” Gambhir confirmed during India’s pre-departure press conference in Mumbai. “We are going to have a discussion with him and depending on the series as well. A lot will depend on the results of the series, where the series is heading. That is something which I am sure he is very well aware of as well and that is important.”

This precautionary approach follows chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s announcement last month that medical staff advised Bumrah against playing several consecutive Tests as part of his workload management. Bumrah had suffered a stress reaction in his back during the fifth Test against Australia in January and only returned to action after the first four games of IPL 2025.

India’s 18-man Test squad includes Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh as specialist fast bowlers, complemented by seam-bowling all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shardul Thakur.

Gill emphasized the quality of the bowling unit: “I think we have picked enough bowlers and we have enough pace battery and a lot of fast bowlers are in a great space to be able to win us Test matches from any situation or any position.” He acknowledged Bumrah’s value but stressed the collective strength: “Whenever he would come back and play the match for us, it would be a great sight for us. But I think we have a great mix of bowlers and a great set of bowlers who can get the job for the team done.”

Gambhir echoed this sentiment, referencing Bumrah’s absence from the Champions Trophy (which India won): “It will give someone the opportunity to put his hand up and we have got enough talent there. I know that he is quality but we have got enough quality apart from him as well in the squad.”

This series marks a new era for India, being their first since the Test retirements of Rohit Sharma, R Ashwin, and Virat Kohli. Additionally, Mohammed Shami is also not part of the squad.

The five Tests against England will kick off India’s 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. The schedule is as follows:

• First Test: Headingley (from June 20)
• Second Test: Edgbaston (from July 2)
• Third Test: Lord’s (from July 10)
• Fourth Test: Old Trafford (from July 23)
• Final Test: The Oval (from July 31)

Before the series begins, India will play a four-day warm-up match against India A at Beckenham, on the outskirts of London, from June 13 to 16.

Sources

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