“I’ll be amazed if he plays three Test matches” – Former England pacer’s big prediction for Jasprit Bumrah ahead of 2025 ENG vs IND 1st Test

Former England pacer Steve Harmison has expressed his surprise after India’s ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah confirmed that he might play only three out of the five Tests in the series, which begins in Leeds on June 20. The cricketer-turned-commentator predicted that the speedster might go on to play at least four or all five matches, depending on the scenario.

It’s worth mentioning that Bumrah’s career has been marred by his injuries. The 31-year-old suffered a back spasm during the fifth Test of the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. As a result, he didn’t bowl in the second innings despite leading the team. He then missed the 2025 Champions Trophy and the first few games for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2025.

Ahead of the opening Test, Steve Harmison told ESPNcricinfo:

“10:10 – I’ll be amazed if he plays three Test matches. If he plays 1, 3, and 4 and series is on the line, then he ain’t gonna miss the Oval. He’s not missing the Oval, so as much as England fans really was buoyant that wow, Jasprit Bumrah is only gonna play three Test matches, I can see him play in 4, possibly 5.”

Former India captain Sanjay Manjrekar expressed similar sentiments to Harmison, adding that whether Bumrah will play only three Tests should depend on the number of overs he bowls in the first two Tests. The 59-year-old said in the same interaction:

“10:40- Well said, Steve because it just irks me, the talk and you know and finally Bumrah has come out and gave reasons why he wasn’t considered as captain and he’s quite happy to not take that responsibility because he likes pre-empting the future."

"I find this talk a little away from reality because you’ve no idea how many overs you’re gonna bowl in the first Test or second Test, so assuming this is the amount of Test cricket, I will be playing, and accordingly, Indian cricket makes plan especially the leadership, I just disagree with this whole approach and thought process as well,” Manjrekar added.

Earlier this week, Bumrah confirmed that he might only play three Tests in England to manage his workload. He told Sky Sports:

"I plan on the go but three Test matches is what I am looking at, what I can manage at this moment.”

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“Could be the difference in the series” – England legend puts his weight behind Jasprit Bumrah vs Joe Root battle

Steve Harmison further highlighted that the head-to-head battle between Jasprit Bumrah and Joe Root would define the fate of the five-match Test series. The remarks came as Bumrah has dismissed Root nine times in the longest format.

Harmison said in the same video:

“12:15 – There are clear two differences between these two sides. Now with Rohit and Virat aren’t playing, there’s probably one proven class player on show and that’s Joe Root and there’s one class bowler on show and that’s Jasprit Bumrah. How they go against each other could be the difference in the series.”

Speaking about the tactics, Harmison added that England batters will try to come out on top of Bumrah in the Test series. The 46-year-old concluded:

“14:04 – I don’t think they [England] will have a plan to try and defend him I think they still come at him.”

Jasprit Bumrah has scalped 205 wickets in 45 Tests (86 innings) with the help of 13 fifers. In England, the World No.1 ranked Test pacer has scalped 37 wickets in nine Tests, comprising two five-wicket hauls.

Bumrah vs Root in Tests (via Cricmetric)

• Runs: 286 in 559 balls
• Average: 31.8
• Strike Rate: 51.2
• Dismissals: nine