Jasprit Bumrah will not be able to participate in all five Tests against England, head coach Ajit Agarkar made a big revelation

India's upcoming five-match Test series against England, starting on June 20, has already made headlines with a major announcement from Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar regarding star pacer Jasprit Bumrah. According to Agarkar, Bumrah will not be able to participate in all five Tests due to workload management. The decision comes as part of the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) strategy to preserve the fitness of their key players, especially ahead of a packed international calendar. Though Bumrah has been named in the squad, the medical team, including doctors and physios, has advised against having him play the full series. The team management is instead aiming to use him selectively, depending on his physical condition and the team's requirements at different stages of the series.

Agarkar, while addressing the media during the squad announcement on May 24, emphasized the importance of Jasprit Bumrah to the Indian team. He stated, “I don’t think he will be available for all five Tests. This has been communicated to us by the medical team. We’ll have to monitor how his body responds and then assess if he can participate in three or maybe four Tests. Bumrah is a crucial part of our squad, and even if he plays three to four games, he can make a big impact.”

The chief selector further added that Bumrah is currently fully fit and has resumed playing T20 cricket after recovering from the injury he sustained during the Australia series. While he was sidelined due to that injury and missed a portion of the IPL as well as the Champions Trophy, his recent return to competitive cricket is a positive sign. Agarkar noted, “We’re glad that he is fit now. He was out during the Australia series, but it’s encouraging to see him back on the field. His presence brings a lot of confidence to the team.”

Meanwhile, the BCCI has introduced a fresh leadership lineup for the Test format. In a notable move, young batsman Shubman Gill has been appointed as the new Test captain, signaling a transition towards a new era in Indian cricket. Rishabh Pant, who has been performing consistently since his return from injury, has been named vice-captain. This young leadership duo is expected to bring energy and a modern approach to India's Test game. With Rohit Sharma stepping away from the Test format, the selectors are clearly looking to groom the next generation of leaders.

Team India appears well-prepared and balanced for the high-stakes tour of England. The squad includes a mix of experienced players and promising young talent. Besides Bumrah, the bowling unit features Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Shardul Thakur, Akashdeep, and Arshdeep Singh, ensuring a variety of pace options. Kuldeep Yadav is the lone specialist spinner, supported by all-rounders like Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja who can contribute with both bat and ball.

In the batting department, India has a strong top and middle order comprising Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudarshan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Karun Nair. The inclusion of Nitish Kumar Reddy and Dhruv Jurel reflects the selectors’ intention to develop bench strength while giving young players exposure to top-level cricket.

The upcoming Test series against England will be a challenging assignment for the Indian team, especially in English conditions where the ball swings more and the pitches tend to offer movement. However, with the current blend of youth and experience, and a focus on fitness and workload management, India is looking to perform strongly and possibly secure a historic series win. With Jasprit Bumrah expected to play a key role in selected matches and a new leadership group at the helm, Indian cricket enters a new chapter filled with both expectations and promise.