BCCI Provides Fitness Update On Jasprit Bumrah: 'Wasn't Available For Selection In 3rd Test vs NZ Due To...'

New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat in the third and final Test against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. India are 2-0 down in the series after losing the first two Tests and are in desperate hunt for a win to avoid a rare whitewash at home. India made one change to the playing XI as Mohammed Siraj replaced Jasprit Bumrah. Rumours were doing rounds that BCCI would rest Jasprit Bumrah to keep him fresh for the Australia tour, however, the board confirmed that Bumrah wasn't even available for selection.

Why Is Jasprit Bumrah Not Playing?The BCCI revealed that Bumrah picked up a viral fever and failed to recover in time for the third Test. "Mr Jasprit Bumrah has not fully recovered from his viral illness. He was unavailable for selection for the third Test in Mumbai," read the BCCI statement.Captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged that India didn't play their best cricket in the series and seemed determined to turn things around in their favour in the final Test. "We understand and accept that we haven't played well through the series. Gives us another opportunity to try and correct those things. Looks like a good pitch. Hopefully, we can restrict them as quickly as possible and then focus with the bat. Our focus is on this Test match. We want to try and play well in this Test match. In the back of your mind, you need to look at what lies ahead, but it's important to stay in present, focus on what we need to to today and worry about all those things later. It's important that we play our best cricket which we haven't in this series. Unfortunately, Bumrah is not well, Siraj comes in for him," Rohit said at the toss. Crucial WTC Points At StakeThe defeat to New Zealand dented India's chances of reaching the WTC final, however, India can still make it to the summit clash if they beat New Zealand in the final Test and win at least four Tests in Australia. A defeat against New Zealand in the final Test would be disastrous for the Rohit Sharma-led side.