Currently, India is playing the five-match Test series in England, while the Indian Legends side has also arrived in England to participate in the multi-team format World Championship of Legends.
Indian ex-player turned commentator Suresh Raina, who is often seen holding the mic nowadays, is currently in England, as he is part of the India Legends team in the tournament. Speaking from the sidelines of the tournament, he has opined on various aspects of India’s XI for the fourth Test at Manchester.
Alongside naming Rishabh Pant as a vital addition to the Indian lineup, Suresh Raina has also mentioned Jasprit Bumrah as key to the Indian bowling lineup. However, Jasprit Bumrah’s involvement would depend on some management calls.
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India legends were supposed to play a game today at Birmingham against Pakistan Legends; however, due to the objections raised by several players, the authorities were compelled to cancel the game.
Suresh Raina reveals Jasprit Bumrah’s availability at Manchester
Speaking to ANI from the sidelines of the World Championship of Legends in Birmingham, Raina opined that Jasprit Bumrah’s availability is crucial to the Indian team, but his chances to play the game depend on certain factors, the foremost of them being the doctor’s call.
“I think it is a doctor’s call, to be honest. I know my body. I know my doctor. I know what guidelines he is giving me, how to play the game.”
“So I think with Jasprit Bumrah, I think he is a legend. I think he knows his workload, how to manage himself, and look at his performance at Lord’s, he registered his place in the Lord’s Honours Board,” said Raina while opining on Jasprit Bumrah.
Rishabh Pant had an injury on his finger too – Suresh Raina
The 38-year-old former Indian star also added that India would need the services of Rishabh Pant as well if they were to make a strong comeback in the series after being trailed by the hosts.
Pant should go in as a specialist batter if his injury is not good enough to keep him out, but India without Rishabh Pant can be dangerous at this juncture of the series.
“Rishabh Pant had an injury on his finger too. So it is very important for both of them (to play their fourth Test). If they have to draw the series or if they have to try to win the game, then I think it will be very important for both of them to feature in the fourth Test,” Raina revealed the importance of Pant in the Indian batting lineup.
Anshul Kamboj as a backup pacer for India
Indian young seamer Anshul Kamboj, who came to the limelight for having picked a 10-wicket haul in a single innings in the last Ranji season back in 2024, has been called by the Indian team as their backup bowler for the remaining two Tests.
Kamboj was also a part of the India A team that played in England before the onset of the series, and his batting abilities can also come in handy for the Indian team. He will, for now, be a backup for both Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep, who have shown some discomfort and might be ruled out due to any probable injury or cramp.
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