Deep Dasgupta, the former India cricketer, believes Jasprit Bumrah must play in the fourth Test against England in Manchester. Even though he’s only played two of the three Tests so far, Bumrah has been one of India’s top bowlers in the series. He grabbed five wickets in each of the two matches he played, securing 12 wickets from 4 innings at an average of 21.

Before the series began, there was talk about managing the star pacer’s workload since he had missed the Championship due to a back injury sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Gautam Gambhir had suggested that Bumrah would only play three of the five Tests, a point he repeated after the loss at Headingley.

Shubman Gill has also been hesitant about Bumrah’s participation in the Manchester Test, but Dasgupta thinks it’s essential. Speaking to Star Sports, the former India wicketkeeper mentioned hearing talks that Bumrah was scheduled to play only the first, third, and fifth Tests. Still, Dasgupta feels that with India trailing 1-2 in the series, the Manchester Test is now critically important.

Jasprit Bumrah in the fourth Test? Absolutely, he has to play. I had heard whispers that the plan was for him to play in the first, third, and fifth Tests. But now that India are down 1-2, the fourth Test becomes incredibly vital. You’d certainly want your best bowler to play.

The Lord’s Test finished on July 14, and the next match is set for July 23. Dasgupta considers the gap sufficient for Bumrah to rest and be ready for the next match.

There’s an eight-day break between the two Tests. It’s uncertain if the fifth Test will still matter after the fourth, but the fourth Test is definitely very relevant, Dasgupta noted.

Many former players, including Anil Kumble, have advised Bumrah to play the next two Tests.