Former England pacer Steve Harmison has expressed bemusement after India's premier pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, confirmed that he would play three of the five Tests in the upcoming India Tour of England, starting June 20. However, the former England player believes the star pacer might go on to play four or all five Tests, depending on the scenario.
Bumrah will resume playing the red-ball format after breaking the back on India's last Test series Down Under. Since then, the fast bowler was last seen in the IPL 2025 season playing for MI. Ahead of the opening Test in Leeds, Harmison stated that Bumrah won't let an opportunity slip away if India's series is in line in the fifth Test.
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“10:10 – I’ll be amazed if he plays three Test matches. If he plays 1, 3, and 4, and the series is on the line, then he ain’t gonna miss the Oval. He’s not missing the Oval, so as much as England fans really was buoyant that wow, Jasprit Bumrah is only gonna play three Test matches, I can see him play in 4, possibly 5," Harmison told ESPNCricinfo.
Sanjay Manjrekar echoes sentiments of Harmison, says Bumrah will play more than three Tests
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar agreed to Harmison's views and said Bumrah playing more than three Tests will depend on his workload.
“10:40- Well said, Steve, because it just irks me, the talk and you know, and finally Bumrah has come out and gave reasons why he wasn’t considered as captain, and he’s quite happy to not take that responsibility because he likes pre-empting the future."
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"I find this talk a little away from reality because you’ve no idea how many overs you’re gonna bowl in the first Test or second Test, so assuming this is the amount of Test cricket I will be playing, and accordingly, Indian cricket makes plan, especially the leadership, I just disagree with this whole approach and thought process as well,” Manjrekar added.
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Bumrah will yet again lead India's pace attack with support from Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep.
