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Mohammed Shami may play the last Test in Manchester.
Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara
The 5th Test between England and India begins on September 10.
England versus India: India bowler Mohammed Shami is fit to play the last Test against England in Manchester on September 10.
Mohammed Shami is fit to play in the last Test against England in Manchester on September 10. Shami and Ishant Sharma were rested from the Oval Test, which India won by 157 runs to lead the five-match series 2-1. Shami reportedly joined the team’s training session on Wednesday, two days before the last Test.
“Shami exercises. And when Shami is fit, he’s a no-brainer “a top BCCI official told PTI.
The fitness of Shami will assist captain Virat Kohli and sole coach Vikram Rathour decide on choices ahead of the fifth game.
Bumrah currently leads the Indian bowlers in terms of overs sent, with 151 in seven innings across four Tests, or more than 21 per innings.
Bumrah has 18 wickets but with a T20 World Cup and an IPL to come, it would be intriguing to see how his body holds up during the last five days of this long series.
India, looking to win a series in England for the first time in 14 years, would like to field their strongest XI but must also consider the workload of the pacers.
If Bumrah is rested for the next two months of T20 cricket, Shami will immediately replace him.
Then Mohammed Siraj will have to make way for Umesh Yadav (6 wickets) and Shardul Thakur (two fifties and 3 wickets) if Bumrah plays the last Test as India need to win the series.
Many analysts believe Manchester while being a pacer-friendly venue, might help a second spinner, in which case Ravichandran Ashwin can fit in.
The medical team is currently monitoring senior players Rohit (knee) and Cheteshwar Pujara (ankle) to see if they have fully healed.
Rohit is said to be healing well and his availability is still possible, but the decision will be made if the medical staff approves.
Abhimanyu Easwaran, Mayank Agarwal, and Prithvi Shaw are the options if Rohit isn’t fit.
In Pujara’s absence, Hanuma Vihari and Suryakumar Yadav will battle it out.
