Jasprit Bumrah Likely to Miss Final Test Against New Zealand

Jasprit Bumrah is expected to miss the third and final Test of the series against New Zealand, scheduled to take place at the Wankhede Stadium. Although he participated in the team's training session on Wednesday, Bumrah only engaged in light fitness exercises and fielding drills, without bowling at all.

Sources indicate that Bumrah is not injured, and it's unclear whether the decision to rest him came from the team management or from Bumrah himself. Head coach Gautam Gambhir had earlier mentioned that all players were available for selection, downplaying concerns about Bumrah's limited activity during practice.

"I think he [Bumrah] has just done his preparations," Gambhir said on Thursday. "Given the weather in Mumbai, he needs to conserve his energy. He's a senior player and knows how much he needs to prepare for the Test match."

Bumrah has been a pivotal part of the team throughout the home season, having played in all four Tests so far, bowling the third-most overs (90) and claiming 14 wickets. Recently appointed vice-captain, he is expected to lead the team in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, as Rohit Sharma is likely to miss the first Test for personal reasons. Ensuring Bumrah is fit will be crucial for India, especially with a demanding five-Test tour starting on November 18.

During the two training days at Wankhede, there were no indications from team management that Bumrah would sit out the match. Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar highlighted that Bumrah's recent workload has been manageable, noting that he had bowled only 20-25 overs in the previous two Tests against New Zealand.

"In the two Test matches that he's bowled, he hasn't bowled a lot," Nayar said. "With the matches not going the distance, he's had ample rest. Bumrah is very important to us, and his workload will always be a consideration."

The Mumbai pitch is expected to favor spinners rather than fast bowlers, despite some early moisture and bounce that might provide a brief opportunity for pace. With India already down 2-0 in the series, this final Test is somewhat of a dead rubber, but it remains crucial for World Test Championship points. India currently sits atop the WTC table, vying for a spot in the final at Lord's in June 2025.