Sunil Gavaskar wants Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami to play the final Test

Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar has said that Jasprit Bumrah should not be rested for the fifth and final Test against England at Old Trafford in Manchester, starting on September 10 (Friday). He noted that had the series been won already, then team India could have thought of resting him, but as the series at 2-1 and India haven’t assured themselves a series win, Bumrah must play. 

Bumrah has been the most successful bowler for India in this series so far. He has picked up 18 wickets in four Tests at an average of 20.83. His spell on day five of the fourth Test at The Oval would be one of the more memorable spells bowled by an Indian. Post lunch, he had a spell with figures of 6-3-6-2, which changed the course of the match. Despite this, there is a call for his rest because he has already bowled more than 150 overs in this series and workload management has been a key aspect behind the success of this team. 

“I think in my view, you’re still playing for India and the series is yet to be won. If you are 2-0 up, then rest Bumrah, but we still haven’t won the series so Bumrah has to play,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying by News18. India, after winning the game at The Oval, took a 2-1 lead but if England wins the final Test in Manchester, they will have to be satisfied with a 2-2 draw. 

Shami has to come in, there’s no question about it: Sunil Gavaskar

Talking about some changes in the XI, Gavaskar suggested that Mohammed Shami should be brought back into the side. He was rested in the previous match because of a niggle but the senior pacer should be back in the XI for the final Test. Gavaskar suggested that Siraj could be left out as he looked slightly off-color in Oval.

“Shami walks into the team. There’s no question about it. The only question is… whether Shami comes in place of Siraj – because he was just off-colour in this particular game – so that’s the only area where I see the opportunity to take a chance. But he has to come in, there’s no question about it,” Gavaskar said.

Siraj picked up only one wicket at The Oval but overall has taken 14 wickets in four Tests. Shami, on the other hand, has 11 wickets at an average of 27.55 in the three Tests which he has played.