‘India lose more when Jasprit Bumrah plays’: David Lloyd’s extraordinary swipe; ‘If Gambhir stays true to his words…’

By Admin

17 Jul, 2025

As India continues to reel from their crushing defeat at Lord’s in the third Test against England, an all-too-familiar question has once again resurfaced: Will Jasprit Bumrah play the next Test? The concern isn’t just about fitness or strategy this time it’s about India’s overall performance pattern when the pace ace features in the lineup. Former England cricketer David Lloyd has now added fuel to the fire with what many are calling an “extraordinary” swipe at India’s bowling spearhead.

The Bumrah Dilemma Post Lord’s

India’s third Test loss at Lord’s raised eyebrows across the cricketing world, and as fans and experts dissected what went wrong, speculation over Bumrah’s availability for the next Test match intensified. India, staying committed to their pre-series plan, had confirmed that Bumrah would be managed carefully, playing only three of the five Tests due to workload concerns. Having returned from a long layoff caused by a back injury during the Australia tour, Bumrah’s role has been closely monitored since his comeback in April.

Gautam Gambhir’s Rotation Plan

Head coach Gautam Gambhir had laid down a clear rotation strategy. Bumrah missed the second Test in Birmingham India’s only win so far in the series before returning for the third at Lord’s. With two more Tests remaining, India must now decide where to deploy him: the fourth Test at Old Trafford or the final showdown at The Oval.

David Lloyd’s Bold Take

In a recent TalkSport Cricket interview, David Lloyd took a bold stance on the Bumrah situation. “It is what they've said and what the coach Gautam Gambhir said that he will play three out of the five Tests. So, he's got a choice. There are two matches to go. He's played two,” Lloyd said.

According to Lloyd, the most logical choice for India is to bring Bumrah back for the fourth Test in Manchester. “If they are true to their words, he should play this next game at Old Trafford. But then, you know, they can manoeuvre that, can’t they? If he plays this next one and India level the series 2-2, you'd think he'd play at The Oval too.”

Lloyd also speculated that India may adjust the plan depending on the scoreline. “If England go 3-1, he won’t play. But if it’s 2-2, he will play at The Oval,” he predicted.

The “Extraordinary” Win-Loss Stat

What truly stirred up controversy was Lloyd’s remark about India’s performance pattern with and without Bumrah. The anchor pointed out that India’s only victory in the ongoing series came in Bumrah’s absence, where Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep dismantled England’s batting order with a combined 16 wickets.

In response, Lloyd commented:
"That’s extraordinary. There was something that said when he plays, they lose more than when he doesn’t play and he is like the best bowler in the world. And he is awkward and nasty with his action, but a thoroughly decent fella.”

Stats Don’t Lie Or Do They?

Since his Test debut in January 2018, Bumrah has featured in 47 matches for India. Of those, India have won 20, lost 23, and drawn 4. In contrast, in the 27 Tests he hasn’t played, India have won 19, lost only 5, and drawn 3 a significantly better record.

The numbers may suggest a curious trend, but cricket is a game of contexts conditions, oppositions, and match situations all play a role. Nonetheless, Lloyd’s comments have sparked a debate about whether India’s team balance and tactics need reevaluation when Bumrah is included.

What Next for Bumrah and Team India?

With the fourth Test at Old Trafford looming and the series still within India’s grasp, the management faces a tough call. Will they stick to their original plan and field Bumrah now, or save him for a decider if they level the series?

As tension mounts, one thing is certain: all eyes will be on the team sheet at Old Trafford. And whether Bumrah features or not, David Lloyd’s “extraordinary” swipe has ensured the spotlight will remain firmly on India’s most enigmatic fast bowler.