India’s bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will miss the fifth India vs England Test, according to a report in ESPNCricinfo. Before the series, the BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar had declared that Bumrah would play only three of the five Tests in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy due to workload management. Bumrah has already played three of the four Tests so far in the series. However, with the fifth match being a series-deciding one, there was a school of thought regarding including Bumrah for the game at The Oval in London. However, the report said: “BCCI medical team has told Bumrah that the decision is in line with safeguarding his back and keeping the long-term in mind.”

Akash Deep, who missed the fourth Test with a groin injury, will most likely replace Jasprit Bumrah, the report added. In the second Test at Edgbaston, Akash Deep picked up a ten-wicket match haul.

Earlier, however, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak did not rule out Jasprit Bumrah’s participation in the series deciding fifth Test against England, saying “he is fit as per his load.” Injury-prone pace spearhead Bumrah was earmarked for three Tests on the tour as part of his workload management but with the series on the line, he could play a fourth one.

After a dramatic draw at Manchester, head coach Gautam Gambhir also did not rule out the possibility of Bumrah featuring in the crunch game. Kotak reiterated that on Tuesday.

“Bumrah is fit now according to his load. He has bowled one inning in the last match. So that obviously head coach, our physio and captain they will have a discussion and decide. There has been no discussion,” Kotak said two days before the game.

At Old Trafford, Gambhir had also confirmed that all his pacers were fit, meaning that Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep have recovered from injuries.

Asked about the workload of Mohammed Siraj, who is the only Indian pacer to play all games, Kotak gave a detailed answer.