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'Jassi bhai toh khelege': Siraj ends doubts over Bumrah ahead of must-win Manchester Test
Jasprit Bumrah collected seven wickets (5/74 and 2/38) in the Lord's Test, which India lost by 22 runs. AP
Team India got a big boost ahead of the must-win fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, Manchester, as Mohammed Siraj confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah will definitely play. Bumrah's availability was in question because of his workload management, but Siraj cleared the air during a press conference on Monday.
'Akash Deep has a groin issue. He bowled today and now the physios will check him. But Jassi bhai toh khelege (Bumrah will definitely play),' Siraj was quoted as saying by Times of India.
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He also spoke about the team's bowling plans for the game, which starts on July 23. 'Combination is changing but we need to bowl in good areas. The plan is simple – stick to good areas,' Siraj added.
India are trailing 1-2 in the five-match series after losing the third Test at Lord's. With key players like Nitish Kumar Reddy and Arshdeep Singh ruled out due to injuries, India's team combination is expected to change for the Manchester Test.
The final playing XI will be announced before the start of the match, but Bumrah's inclusion comes as a big relief for captain Shubman Gill and the team management as they look to level the series.
Also Read: India camp rocked by injury crisis: How team combination could change after Nitish Reddy, Arshdeep Singh blow
Siraj also spoke about the heartbreak at Lord's, where India lost by a narrow margin of 22 runs. Siraj was the last wicket to fall, and it was not even his fault. He defended a delivery from Shoaib Bashir really well with soft hands but the ball bounced and rolled onto the stumps.
'I am very emotional… it could have been 2-1. Jaddu bhai ne itna fight kiya. But then I said to myself that series is not over and I will work on my batting. We kept working hard on our batting since Australia. 22 runs defeat was heartbreaking,' Siraj said.
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