BIRMINGHAM: The Indian cricket team, led by Jaspreet Bumrah, who is taking over the captaincy for the first time, will have changed a lot when they take on England in the fifth and final Test starting here on Friday. The performance has also improved a lot, against which the preparations of the Indian team do not seem so strong, although the Indian team is still able to give a surprise to England.
The Indian team is leading 2-1 in the five-match series and even if this Test is drawn, the Indian team will make a new history by winning the series. The fifth Test was postponed after Team India’s corona case came to light last year. Nine months have passed since then and the then captain Virat Kohli has left the helm and the next captain Rohit Sharma will not play this match because of Corona. Besides, Rohit’s deputy KL Rahul is also not with the team. Given this situation, the challenge for Team India is huge.
England recently swept New Zealand 3-0 with an aggressive performance under their new coach Brendon McCullum and their batsmen are in form. The seemingly flat wicket here could be helpful to the batsmen and it will be up to Jaspreet Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and Mohammad Siraj to keep the England batsmen in check.
Jaspreet Bumrah named captain in fifth Test: BCCI
BIRMINGHAM: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) today made it clear that captain Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the fifth Test against England starting July 1 due to Corona. Rohit’s second Corona Test has also come positive and in that case Jaspreet Bumrah will take the helm of Team India in this Test.
BCCI secretary Jai Shah said in a media release that Indian captain Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the fifth Test against England scheduled for Friday. Rohit underwent a repeat antigen test on Thursday morning, which was also reported to be positive. He will not be able to play the fifth Test after two consecutive reports came positive. The media release further said that the selectors have made Bumrah the captain for the next Test. Rishabh Pant will be his deputy in this test.
With the helm in this Test, Bumrah will become the 36th captain of the country. Bumrah has served as vice-captain in the three-match ODI series of the tour of South Africa. He was also seen holding the captaincy in the absence of Rohit in the practice match against Leicestershire.