ENG vs IND 2025: Morne Morkel provides injury update on Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj | CricTracker

Former South African cricketer Morne Morkel provided fitness updates on Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, both of whom gave injury scares during the second session. The Indian coach also commented that it was a much better day with the ball for the visitors, though the team had struggled with its lines on day two of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester.

England have managed a lead of 186 runs, riding on the back of a magnificent 150 from Joe Root and an unbeaten 77 from captain Ben Stokes. India’s concerns extended beyond the scoreboard, as Bumrah appeared to be in discomfort after bowling just one over with the new ball. He left the field and was hobbling after he returned to the field.

“I thought the way the boys responded this morning, especially Siraj and Bumrah with the ball, was good to see. And yeah, from there, you know, we tried our best with trying to create opportunities. We could look like it played better than the first couple of two days,” said Morkel in the post-day presser as quoted by NDTV Sports.

“So, you know, discipline and holding those lines were key, and that was something I think we missed earlier. And then coming back to the injuries, yeah, unfortunately, when we took the second new ball, Bumrah rolled his ankles going down the stairs, and then Siraj also, I think, rolled his foot in one of the footholds, but they seem to be okay,” he added.

Pacers had heavy workloads: Morkel

Indian bowling coach also commented on the bowlers delivering well below their average speeds on day three, stating that the surface was flat, requiring bowlers to hit the deck hard to extract even a little bit of zip.

“I mean, to look at the workloads of the guys like Siraj and those sorts of guys, they have had heavy workloads. Anshul, that is his first Test match so far, and it is important for us that we wanted to grow and develop a nice fast bowling unit. So, not too much to judge on that. But yeah, I think it is also a heavier sort of outfield. But in terms of commitment and effort that the guys have put in, I do not think we can fault that,” Morkel added.

We are working on Kamboj’s speed: Morkel

When asked about the inclusion of Anshul Kamboj, Morkel explained that the team was looking for a bowler capable of delivering a high volume of overs with accuracy, particularly targeting tough lines outside the off stump. Addressing concerns about Kamboj’s pace, Morkel denied any fitness issues, confirming that the pacer is fully fit.

“And I think Anshul on a domestic level back home has done that. He had done really well on the India A Tour this year (to England, when he took four wickets in two matches and scored a fifty). And he was a guy whose name has been in the mix for a long time. And, you know, they gave him the opportunity for that,” said Morkel.

“If you look, I wish I could give you that answer, because I would have told him then how to bowl quicker. But he arrived here, he bowled well in the nets, and then obviously we went with what I discussed earlier. Why speeds are so low? I mean, yeah, that is something that we are working on. But he was definitely quicker when you saw him in the India A. And some of the games back home, it was definitely higher pace,” he concluded.

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