Sahil Ankola Questions Jasprit Bumrah's Fitness For Crucial ENG vs IND Test

Former India cricketer and selector Salil Ankola suggested that Jasprit Bumrah should play the fourth Test against England at the Old Trafford, Manchester commencing from July 23, Tuesday. The former cricketer stated that Bumrah should not be part of the team if he is not fully fit. He also stated that Bumrah was capable of making India win matches, but his absence can play a big role in team.

Bumrah played the series opener at Leeds, but did not feature in the second Test at Edgbaston before playing the Lords Test.

Ankola said,

"If Bumrah is touring England as a team member, he definitely has to play all the matches. Bumrah is definitely a match-winning bowler, but it's not like we don't have other bowlers. If he is unfit, don't take him with the team. Let him be fully fit. You (team management) are also unsure and Bumrah is also unsure (whether to play or not). So, who takes that call? It's not the coach, it's not the selectors, but it's the physio and doctor."

Further he said,

"That means someone somewhere is not taking responsibility for doing their job right. I'm not criticising anybody, this is my opinion as a layman because I'm not in the selection committee."

The 31-year-old took a total of 12 wickets in the two tests he played so far. Bumrah took a five-wicket haul in first and second test first innings, whereas took two wickets in the second innings. In his absence at the Edgbaston Test, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep turned out to be the backbone of the team and played a crucial role in winning the second Test.