Following India’s 22-run loss to England in the third Test at Lord’s, former England cricketer David Lloyd has stirred fresh debate by making a bold claim about India’s star pacer Jasprit Bumrah. As uncertainty surrounds Bumrah’s availability for the upcoming fourth Test, Lloyd added fuel to the discussion, stating that India’s win percentage has been better in his absence.
India had announced before the series that Bumrah would feature in only three of the five Tests to manage his workload. He missed the second Test in Birmingham and returned for the third in London. Now, with two matches left, the decision on whether Bumrah plays in Manchester or The Oval is being closely watched.
Speaking to TalkSport Cricket, Lloyd said, “If they stick to what Gautam Gambhir said, Bumrah will play at Old Trafford. But if India level the series, they may be tempted to play him at The Oval too. If England go 3-1 up, he might be rested again.”
Lloyd further pointed out a surprising statistic that raised eyebrows. “It’s extraordinary. The data says India lose more when Bumrah plays than when he doesn’t. He’s the best bowler in the world, awkward and nasty with his action, but somehow, they seem to win more without him.”
Bumrah’s Record Sparks Debate on Workload Strategy
Since making his Test debut in 2018, Jasprit Bumrah has played 47 Tests, during which India won 20, lost 23, and drew four. In contrast, the 27 Tests he missed in the same period saw India win 19, lose only five, and draw three. These numbers have prompted both fans and experts to question whether Bumrah’s presence is always a tactical advantage or if India has managed better with alternative bowling combinations.
India’s only win in the current series came in Bumrah’s absence during the second Test, where Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep took a combined 16 wickets. With the series now standing at 2-1 in England’s favor, the decision on Bumrah’s inclusion for the fourth Test at Old Trafford becomes crucial.
While many still regard Bumrah as India’s spearhead, this latest commentary by David Lloyd has added an unexpected twist to the ongoing workload management conversation—and put even more focus on how India’s team management will handle the remaining two Tests.
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