IND vs ENG, 5th Test: 'Bumrah is fit to bowl as per his workload', says India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak

India would prefer to have Jasprit Bumrah in the playing XI for the fifth Test but not a half-fit, for a must-win game. Bumrah appeared exhausted out in Manchester, and despite Gautam Gambhir insisting that all his bowlers are fit, Bumrah's availability is questionable.

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak echoed Gambhir's sentiments and said that Bumrah is fit, but did not provide any confirmation if the ace pacer will play the Oval Test. "Bumrah is fit now according to his load. He has bowled one inning in the last match. So that obviously head coach, our physio and captain, they will have a discussion and decide. There has been no discussion," Kotak was quoted by news agency PTI.

Mohammed Siraj has featured in all four Tests, and there are worries over his workload. Kotak offered a clear explanation regarding Siraj's workload management and said that his bowling workload is very heavy, but it's within his capacity. “So, I don't know what you guys think about the actual workload. So, if I tell you quickly, before the Test series, if a bowler puts in a certain amount of overs per week, that if he's preparing for T20 and putting in 20 overs, 25 overs, 6 overs every day, or putting in 6 overs for five days, that is good enough workload for T20.”

"They have a GPS. It shows the record of how many overs the bowler has put in throughout the week. And they're in constant touch with the bowling coach. So, the build-up of the last 4–5 weeks, you need to determine if there's no spike in it. “So, what's the spike? If a bowler is putting in 30 overs per week, and suddenly, in the first innings, he's put in 35 overs, then that's the spike in his load. So, the number of overs that Siraj is putting in every week, it's not necessary that it's due to practice.”

"That load is also because of the match. So, then, one thing depends on whether Siraj himself, or the physios, or his body feels that no, I am tired. Then, they will ponder over the load. Otherwise, his bowling load is very high, is very good. So, there is a zero chance of a spike in it," added Kotak.