Bumrah Set to Return in Fourth Test as India Looks to Level Series in Manchester

India's pivotal fourth Test against England at Old Trafford is set to be a game-changer for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series and the big news going into the match is that Jasprit Bumrah is set to return to the playing eleven. His fellow player and fast bowling colleague Mohammed Siraj has confirmed that Bumrah will play in the Manchester Test. His return seems imminent as India are behind the series 1-2 and require their leader more than ever. Prior to the series there was an agreement that Bumrah would feature in only three of the five matches to keep his workload in balance but with the pressure so immense that plan is sure to change. The team got a break of nine days after the third Test which concluded on July 14 at Lord's providing ample time for Bumrah to recuperate and get ready for the next challenge.

Just days shy of the Manchester Test Bumrah was spotted speaking extensively with India's head coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar. Bumrah bowled a short spell in the nets post the discussion and then moved on to batting. His bowling session was shorter than usual which may be a strategy to get him back slowly. Predictions are that it should rain during three of the five match days which could ease the bowling burden for Bumrah. That might also provide him with a better opportunity to play in the final Test at The Oval just three days after the end of the Manchester match but that will be based on the way things go.

India's bowling lineup might have another alteration as well. Akash Deep who made headlines with a ten-wicket performance in Birmingham is struggling with a groin issue. During practice he bowled using a shortened run-up and skipped his usual net session afterward. The medical team will keep an eye on him for another day before deciding if he can play. However the team has already started thinking about replacements. In order to cope with the increasing number of fast bowlers suffering from fitness issues India has recruited 24-year-old Anshul Kamboj. The Haryana paceman has performed well domestically with 79 wickets in 24 first-class games and also impressed for India A in the match against the England Lions recently where he took five wickets in two matches.

Kamboj travelled into Manchester on Sunday and was required to dive into training directly. He bowled with the new ball under the close observation of head coach Gambhir and bowling coach Morne Morkel displaying sharpness and intent in spite of hardly settling in. But a possible debut for Kamboj could hinge on whether Prasidh Krishna gets another opportunity. Prasidh had played the first two Tests of the series but went for more than five runs an over which does not look good in figures. Still there is context here because one of his costly spells occurred when captain Shubman Gill requested short-pitched bowling to attempt to disrupt a partnership. In the nets prior to the fourth Test Prasidh appeared sharp once more frustrating batters such as Rishabh Pant Sai Sudharsan and even Gill himself with pace and bounce.

Talking of Pant there is some good news about his fitness as well. He had missed most of the keeping work in the Lord's Test because of a niggle but appears now to be on the mend. In practice he was once again keeping wickets while participating in a slip-catching drill and batted without apparent pain. The only time he seemed to struggle was when deliveries rose steeply and caught high on his bat handle. Whether he is completely fit enough to continue keeping wickets for five complete days is still not clear. If there are any doubts the team may introduce Dhruv Jurel as a reserve keeper particularly because Nitish Reddy is out of the series. But if Pant is well enough to play again that would enable India to have an additional batter in Sai Sudharsan who appeared intent while in the nets. Sudharsan debuted at Headingley and is keen on having a greater role to play in the next game.

With the match approaching the hype surrounding Bumrah's comeback and India's playing eleven is growing. With the series hanging in the balance each choice and decision will take on greater significance. The team has been struggling with fitness but there is hope too as some of the most important players look like they are getting back into form and fitness when they need to. England is leading at present but India will be battling tooth and nail to level the series and take it to a decider at The Oval. Bumrah's return might be just what the team requires to change the dynamics and remind the opposition of the danger he poses both with ball and presence. The fourth Test is not merely a game it is a turning point in the series and perhaps for this young Indian team's campaign on English soil.