Bumrah and Pant Set to Return for Fourth Test Against England at Old Trafford

India are likely to welcome back two key players, Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant, for the fourth Test against England starting July 23 at Old Trafford, Manchester, according to reports from Sky Sports. Their inclusion could significantly bolster India’s chances of levelling the series after a mixed performance across the first three matches.

Bumrah, who was rested for the second Test at Edgbaston as part of a rotation policy, returned to the playing XI for the third Test at Lord’s, where he once again demonstrated his impact with a five-wicket haul in the first innings. India head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed that the team remains committed to carefully managing Bumrah’s workload. The decision to rest him intermittently is rooted in medical advice following a stress reaction in his back during the Sydney Test against Australia earlier this year. Despite India’s five-wicket loss in the opening Test at Headingley, the management has remained firm on their rotation strategy to maintain Bumrah’s long-term fitness.

On the other side, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant also looks set to return in full capacity. During the third Test, Pant suffered a finger injury in the 34th over of England’s first innings while trying to collect a delivery bowled by Bumrah. He failed to gather the ball cleanly, allowing two byes, and soon after was seen in considerable discomfort, forcing him to leave the field for medical assistance. Dhruv Jurel replaced him behind the stumps for the remainder of England’s innings.

Despite the injury, Pant showcased his grit with the bat. He scored a commanding 74 off 112 deliveries in the first innings, clearing the boundary twice and surpassing Sir Vivian Richards’ record for the most sixes hit against England in Tests. In the second innings, however, he was dismissed by a sharp delivery from Jofra Archer after making just 9 runs. Although he couldn’t keep wickets during the match, Pant was fit enough to bat, and he is now expected to reclaim the gloves for the upcoming fixture.