Ajit Agarkar Clarifies Jasprit Bumrah’s Fitness and Availability for England Test Series
Ajit Agarkar, the Chief Selector of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has announced the squad for the upcoming five-Test series against England starting June 20. Shubman Gill has been named captain, with Rishabh Pant appointed as his deputy. Senior players like Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja will also be part of the touring squad.
There was much speculation regarding the successor to Rohit Sharma as captain, with some suggesting Bumrah could take on the leadership role. However, concerns about Bumrah’s fitness and availability for all five Tests were widely discussed. Agarkar addressed these concerns in the post-squad announcement press conference.
Bumrah’s Fitness Update
Agarkar confirmed that the team’s physiotherapists and doctors have advised resting Bumrah for at least one Test during the England series. This recommendation effectively ruled him out as a candidate for captaincy.
“I don’t think he will be available for all five Tests as per the advice of our physios and doctors. Whether it’s three or four matches, we will see how the series unfolds and how his body copes with the workload,” said Agarkar.
Bumrah’s Importance to the Team
A former fast bowler himself, Agarkar emphasized Bumrah’s crucial role as a player due to his consistent wicket-taking ability. Despite missing the final innings of the fifth Test in Sydney during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year, Bumrah finished as the highest wicket-taker in the series with 32 dismissals, seven more than second-placed Pat Cummins.
“We know how important he is. Even if he plays three or four Tests, he will deliver wickets for us. We are glad he’s fit after the setback he had in Australia. He’s been playing T20 cricket recently, and his IPL performance has been impressive. We’re happy to have him in the squad,” Agarkar added.
Captaincy Seen as a Burden
When asked about Bumrah’s captaincy prospects, Agarkar revealed that while Bumrah was initially considered for the role, the selectors and management unanimously felt that the leadership burden could impact his performance.
“He has led in Australia and was the vice-captain. But since he won’t be available for all matches, we believe he is more valuable to us as a player. Managing a team of 15-16 players while playing also takes a toll. Bumrah understands this, accepts it, and knows his body’s current limits,” explained Agarkar.