India Prioritises Bumrah's Long-Term Fitness Over Final Test: Assistant Coach Ryan
- Jasprit Bumrah was rested for the fifth Test against England after completing his pre-decided three-match workload, prioritizing long-term fitness.
- Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate emphasized that the management honored Bumrah's decision, considering his injury history and overall bowling load.
- The team evaluated conditions and planned Bumrah's participation accordingly, focusing on both individual well-being and team performance.
In a move focused on long-term player welfare, India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has defended the team management’s decision to rest pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for the fifth and final Test against England, citing workload management and the bowler’s prior agreement to feature in only three Tests of the five-match series.
Bumrah, the world’s No.1 ranked Test bowler, had played his third and final scheduled Test during the fourth match in Manchester. According to ten Doeschate, the decision to rest him for the final game at The Oval was taken after considering his injury history and the substantial workload he had undertaken across the series.
“It’s quite a complex issue around Bumrah”, ten Doeschate told reporters at the end of Day 1 of the final Test. “We obviously want to wheel him in, but we also want to respect where his body’s at, and on the basis of that, we just felt that it wasn't worth including him in the squad”.
He added that while it might not appear so at first glance, Bumrah had bowled a significant number of overs throughout the series. “I know it doesn't always seem like that because he's only played three Tests and he only bowled in one innings in Manchester. But if you look at the loads, he's bowled a lot of overs”.
Bumrah had indicated before the tour that he would be available for just three Tests, leaving the choice of matches to the management. “We just felt it was right to honour that call”, said ten Doeschate.
The assistant coach also elaborated on the broader thinking around selecting which Tests the pacer would play. “There’s no exact science to it. Every time I’ve answered this question, I’ve spoken about putting the pieces of the puzzle together”, he said. “People were baffled when we didn’t play him in the third Test, but The Oval usually offers good bounce and is also a good batting wicket. We rolled the dice”.
Reflecting on England’s strategy, he noted, “Maybe England got it spot on, leaving the best bowling wicket for the last Test after Bumrah had played three”.
Addressing any perception that Bumrah was picking and choosing games, ten Doeschate dismissed the notion as unfair. “I don’t think picking and choosing is a fair comment to Bumrah. He left it up to us which three games he played. We’ve tried to manage the situation in the best interest of both the player and the team”.
He also emphasized the importance of keeping non-playing members of the squad engaged and valued. “When you're carrying 18 players, it's crucial to make those who aren't playing feel involved. All the guys who haven’t featured have been fantastic. They’ve trained hard, they’re disappointed, yes, but they understand we’re making decisions in good faith”.
With the series already decided and India leading 3-1, the team’s priority appears clear—preserving its premier fast bowler for future challenges rather than risking his health for one final game.
