Reports state that Team India’s star bowler Jasprit Bumrah will be rested for the second Test in Birmingham, England. However, the key question remains: was Bumrah rested by the team management, or did he request the break himself?
Under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, Team India suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of England in their first Test match, in which Jasprit Bumrah was the most successful bowler for Team India, Bumrah took 5 wickets in the first match and bowled the most economical.
Here’s the latest on Jasprit Bumrah’s status for the second Test in Birmingham:
- Plain fact: Head coach Gautam Gambhir has confirmed that Bumrah will play only three out of the five Test matches in the England series, as part of a planned workload management strategy.
- For Birmingham (2nd Test): Although there’s no official announcement yet, Bumrah is likely to miss the 2nd Test in Birmingham, aligning with the team’s rotation plan .
- Why rest him? This isn’t per Bumrah’s personal request. Rather, it’s a decision made by team management based on pre-tour planning and the need to manage his workload responsibly following a back injury.
- Voices of caution: Former cricketer Ravi Shastri warned against this decision, suggesting resting Bumrah might risk going 2–0 down in the series.
Why will Bumrah be rested for the second Test?
The team management believes that Jasprit Bumrah should not be overburdened and must be kept in peak physical condition. Therefore, it is likely they deemed it appropriate to rest him for the second Test. Bumrah’s fitness is crucial for Team India, as he is a match-winner capable of turning games around single-handedly.
Why Rest Was Non-Negotiable: The Medical & Tactical Logic
- Injury Red Flags:
- Bumrah bowled 44 overs in the Leeds Test – his heaviest workload since returning from back surgery.
- Scans revealed “bruised ribs and general fatigue,” though no structural damage 410. Team physios mandated recovery time.
- The Series-Long Blueprint:
- Bumrah was earmarked for Tests 1, 3, and 5 initially, with flexibility based on series context.
- Birmingham’s selection became untenable after his marathon Leeds spell 7.
- Calendar Realities:
- While a 7-day gap exists between Tests 1 and 2, the Lord’s Test (July 10) starts just 3 days after Edgbaston concludes. Preserving Bumrah for back-to-back games was prioritized.
India’s Bowling Crisis Deepens
- Experience Vacuum: Without Bumrah, India’s pace attack averages just 16 Tests per bowler (Siraj: 37, Akash Deep: 7, Prasidh Krishna: 4) 10.
- First Test Exposé: In Leeds, non-Bumrah pacers combined for 9/482 at 5.24 RPO vs. his 5/140 at 3.20 RPO 9.
- England’s Advantage: Ben Stokes’ side chased 371 at Edgbaston in 2022 against Bumrah. Now, they’ll target India’s rookies 10.
India’s Pace Attack Comparison (1st Test):
| Bowler | Wickets | Economy | Overs Bowled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jasprit Bumrah | 5 | 3.20 | 43.4 |
| Other Pacers | 9 | 5.24 | 92 |
Debunking the “Skipped It Himself” Narrative
- Captaincy Context: Bumrah declined Test captaincy in 2024 to manage workload, signaling his commitment to team strategy over personal milestones.
- Training Ground Clues: In Birmingham nets, Bumrah abstained from bowling but participated in fitness drills – indicating medical oversight, not voluntary withdrawal.
- Gambhir’s Authority: The coach overruled Sunil Gavaskar’s push for Bumrah to play all five Tests, asserting: “We won’t change [the plan]”.
Read more: Australia A Appoints Former Test Captain to Lead as Head Coach
Who will replace Bumrah in the second test?
- Arshdeep Singh Likely Debut: The left-armer trained extensively with old balls for reverse swing – Edgbaston’s signature weapon 34.
- Prasidh Krishna’s Vulnerability: Despite 5 wickets in Leeds, his 6.3 RPO economy makes him droppable 89.
- Spin Wildcard: Kuldeep Yadav could partner Jadeja, exploiting Edgbaston’s history of favoring tweakers (Ashwin took 7 here in 2018)
Bumrah’s Birmingham benching is a painful but necessary sacrifice in cricket’s era of relentless scheduling. As Gambhir noted: “It’s about what he brings long-term, not one Test”. For India, trusting Arshdeep or Kuldeep now could forge the depth needed to survive a post-Bumrah future. For England, it’s a chance to strike – but underestimate this wounded attack at your peril. 🏏💥
