India’s vice-captain and lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai due to a viral illness. This announcement by the BCCI came amid speculation, as Bumrah had previously been seen performing only light fitness activities and fielding drills, which led to concerns about his availability.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir initially downplayed these worries, emphasizing that Bumrah was managing his preparations due to Mumbai’s intense weather conditions. However, despite these assurances, Bumrah’s illness ultimately prevented his participation in the crucial final match of the series.
Impact of Bumrah’s Absence on India’s Bowling Strategy
Bumrah’s absence is a significant setback for India, as he has been a key performer this season. Having played all four previous Tests in the series, Bumrah has delivered the third-highest number of overs (90) and secured the third-highest wickets tally (14), establishing himself as a crucial part of India’s bowling lineup.
The decision to rest him, partly due to his recent illness and partly to manage his workload, aligns with the team management’s intent to keep him fresh for the upcoming five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Additionally, Bumrah is expected to take on a leading role in the series opener against Australia, given Rohit Sharma’s anticipated absence.
New Zealand’s Decision and Lineup Changes
New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first, capitalizing on the batting-friendly conditions in Mumbai. While Bumrah’s absence was India’s only lineup change, New Zealand also faced a setback, with Mitchell Santner, the standout player from the previous match, ruled out due to injury. Ish Sodhi was brought in as his replacement, as New Zealand aimed for a historic clean-sweep victory against India. The loss of both Bumrah for India and Santner for New Zealand underscores the physical demands of the series, with both teams facing key challenges as they head into the final match.
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