‘Come on, one more’: India’s jarring selection headache that could let Poms off leash

As superstar spearhead Jasprit Bumrah prepares for India’s fourth Test against England on Wednesday, selectors continue to grapple with the grim reality that he may be left out of the series finale — even if India level the series at Old Trafford.

The 31-year-old generational talent featured in India’s 22-run loss to England at Lord’s, as the cricketing powerhouse continues to meticulously manage his bowling loads, wary of any long-term injuries that could arise from overuse.

Subsequently, it’s left the visitors in a precarious situation should Bumrah lead India to victory in the fourth Test — having already made it clear pre-series that their star bowler wouldn’t play more than three Tests. The right-arm seamer was rested in Birmingham for the second match, and played both matches either side of that.

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Speaking to foxsports.com.au, England great Michael Vaughan addressed the dilemma that looms if Bumrah powers his side to a series-shaping win.

“They made it very clear that he was only going to play three at the start of the season. I guess if they win here, he might get a knock on the shoulder to say: ‘Come on, one more go at The Oval’,” Vaughan said on Tuesday.

“But the two games that he’s played, he’s bowled great — but India have lost. The game that he didn’t play, for whatever reason, Mohammed Siraj (and) Akash Deep got a pitch at Edgbaston that nipped quite quickly with the new ball. They maximised it, England didn’t play well at all and they (India) won the game.

“For India to win the series, you would think that Bumrah’s going have to play a big, big role.”

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Bumrah has recorded an impressive 12 wickets at 21 from his two games this series, at an even more impressive strike rate of 43.33. Only teammate Mohammed Siraj (13 wickets at 32) has claimed more victims, while Ben Stokes and Josh Tongue (11 wickets) have led England’s attack.

However, despite Bumrah being far and away India’s best bowler, the team’s record without him since his debut in 2018 is mind-boggling. In the 28 Tests they have played without the number one ranked red-ball bowler in the world, India have won 20 times, lost five and drawn three — that’s a win percentage of 71.43 per cent.

Conversely, in the 48 Tests in which Bumrah has featured, India have won just 20, lost 24, and drawn four — a win rate of only 41.67%.

Jasprit Bumrah of India celebrates bowling Chris Woakes of England during Day 4 of the 3rd Test between England and India at Lord's Cricket Ground on July 13, 2025 (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

“When he’s not there, maybe England just switched off slightly. Maybe they just switched off as a batting group, because Bumrah wasn’t playing. When you have a player like Bumrah in your side, as a batting unit you’ve got to be so switched on, committed (and) concentrated. And that’s the only reason I can give really,” Vaughan continued.

“These kind of things happen. The spell that he bowled at Lord’s on the fourth morning was incredible. How he didn’t get three or four wickets (is astounding).

“The one thing I’ll say, is that they (England) know that Bumrah is only ever going to bowl about five overs (in a row). So I think England trying to see him off. I know he has (still) got wickets, but England do try and see him off, and then they try to just play the other end and get as many runs as they can from the other end.”

In the two Tests Bumrah has played so far this series, it’s India’s batting more than their bowling that has let them down against England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach.

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It sounds outrageous given that four of India’s batters are currently averaging 60 or more for the series, but in the innings where their stars haven’t capitalised, wickets have fallen at crucial moments or in clumps.

“It’s India’s batting when Bumrah has played (that is the issue). They’ve just had so many opportunities in this series, Leeds they collapsed twice. (At) Lord’s last week in the first innings, they should have got a decent lead and they didn’t,” Vaughan ended by saying to foxsports.com.au.

“And obviously not chasing 190 odd (in the third Test), that’s not down to Bumrah. He batted nicely actually, but they should have enough in the tank to chase 190 odd, against an England side on a pitch that did a little bit, It wasn’t a minefield, (but) they just didn’t cope with the pressure.”

The first ball of the fourth Test between England and India gets underway at 8pm AEST on Wednesday night. Watch it live on Fox Cricket (channel 501), and streaming on Kayo, from 7:30pm AEST.

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