• Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah once again found his fitness under the microscope during the 4th Test vs England in Manchester.

  • On Day 3, the 31-year-old bowler notably left the field mid-spell, sparking immediate concern about a potential injury.

ENG vs IND: Jasprit Bumrah faces scrutiny from fans over fitness after mid-spell withdrawal in Manchester Test
Jasprit Bumrah (Image Source: X)

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Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah once again found his fitness under the microscope during the fourth Test against England in Manchester. On Day 3, the 31-year-old bowler notably left the field mid-spell, sparking immediate concern about a potential injury. This incident, combined with his recent injury history and a pre-series workload management plan, has drawn significant attention. While initial fears were alleviated by his return to the field and a subsequent wicket, the episode has reignited discussions among fans regarding the durability of India’s ace fast bowler.

Jasprit Bumrah’s on-field scare and prioritizing workload management

Bumrah’s brief departure from the field occurred after bowling just one over with the second new ball, the 92nd over of England’s innings. He was replaced by Anshul Kamboj, raising immediate red flags. Having already bowled 19 overs for 65 runs without a wicket until that point, his sudden exit created a momentary scare for the Indian camp. It was later revealed through stadium videos that Bumrah had simply tripped on a staircase while walking down from the dressing room, rather than sustaining a bowling-related injury.

He did return to the field after four overs and, importantly, managed to bowl ‘full tilt’ later in the day, even picking up the crucial wicket of Jamie Smith. This incident, however, comes on the heels of a back injury that forced him to miss the Champions Trophy, which he sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in December-January. Consequently, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir had stated prior to the ongoing series that Bumrah’s workload would be carefully managed, limiting him to only three appearances in the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Bumrah had already featured in the first and third Tests, taking 12 wickets across four innings, including two five-wicket hauls.

Also WATCH: ENG vs IND: Ravindra Jadeja fumes at debutant Anshul Kamboj after fielding error gives lifeline to Joe Root on Day 3 of fourth Test

Fan reactions and persistent fitness debates on Bumrah

Despite the explanation for his recent mid-spell exit, Bumrah’s fitness remains a frequent topic of discussion and, at times, a source of online trolling among fans. His history with back injuries, particularly the one that sidelined him from the Champions Trophy, has made his physical condition a constant point of debate.

Social media has seen instances where Bumrah’s fitness has been scrutinized, with some fans comparing his athleticism to other cricketers or questioning his claims of being ‘the fittest cricketer’ in past comments, leading to online backlash and memes. The ongoing series against England has also seen other Indian pacers, including Mohammed Siraj, reportedly experiencing niggles and a noticeable drop in pace, prompting bowling coach Morne Morkel to address concerns about workload and energy on flat pitches.

Here’s how fans reacted: 

Also READ: ENG vs IND [Fact check]: Did KL Rahul comfort an emotional Karun Nair after Manchester Test omission?

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