... declared fit for must-win game

LONDON:SKIPPER Virat Kohli is in a race against time to get completely fit for the third Test. He had confirmed his availability albeit with the rider that he might not be able to field or run between the wickets up to a 100 % of his ability.

The beleaguered Indian team received a boost with pacer Jasprit Bumrah being declared fit and available for selection for the third Test against England. Bumrah had injured his left hand while playing in the first game of the long tour against Ireland in Dublin back in June. He didn’t feature in the T20s or ODIS against England since

then, and also missed the first two Tests thanks to a fracture on his left thumb.

He underwent surgery in Leeds on July 4 and underwent rehabilitation back in India, before being called up for the Test series. Throughout the second leg of this tour, Bumrah has been keenly working in the nets, from Chelmsford, to Birmingham, to Lord’s, although the team management was waiting for the plaster to come off finally.

During one of the net sessions while the rain intervened during the second Test, Bumrah was seen bowling without his plaster and thus his availability for the next match has now been confirmed. Both R Ashwin and Hardik Pandya have also been declared fit. Both suffered blows to their bowling hands while batting in second innings at Lord’s. Ashwin was hit twice.