London: India suffered a major setback ahead of the third and final ODI against England after leading pacer Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out with a knee injury.
Skipper Shubman Gill confirmed Bumrah’s departure with a knee problem in Sunday’s toss, with India making three changes to the squad following the defeat in Cardiff.
With the three-match series 1-1, KL Rahul returned from illness, while Prince Yadav and Arshdeep Singh were also picked at Lord’s.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Bumrah sustained the injury while fielding during the second ODI in Cardiff.
“Jasprit Bumrah sustained an injury to his left knee while fielding in the second ODI at Cardiff. Swelling in the left knee ruled him out of the third ODI,” the statement said.
Bumrah returned from 1-31 to 1-45 from nine overs in the series opener and completed his full over quota in the second ODI.
India suffered another injury a day earlier after the BCCI confirmed that all-rounder Washington Sundar was ruled out of the third ODI with a hamstring injury.
Harsh Dubey was later included in the squad, although India did not include him or spinner Kuldeep Yadav, instead strengthening their pace attack.
Rahul’s return saw Shivam Dubey drop out, while Ishan Kishan retained his place after switching wicketkeeper-batsman in the second ODI.
Explaining the inclusion of left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh, Gill said India prioritized conditions over statistics.
“We’re not big on stats. We think he’s a great bowler and we’re looking for four-seamers on this ground. We’ve seen in the middle overs that spinners don’t really offer as much as fast bowlers,” Gill said.
England made one change to the side that won the second ODI in Cardiff, recalling Josh Knock in place of Saqib Mahmood.