The Indian cricket team is on a tour of England, where they started a 5-Test series on June 20. They lost the initial match played at Leeds, losing by 5 wickets and thus leaving the series in England’s favor at 1-0. The second Test is slated to commence on July 2 in Edgbaston, Birmingham. Team India is playing under the leadership of Shubman Gill, and it remains to be seen whether this young squad can bounce back in the second match. Meanwhile, reports have surfaced suggesting that pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah may be rested for the second Test. However, no official confirmation has been made regarding this decision yet.
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Will Jasprit Bumrah Play the Second Test?
India head coach Gautam Gambhir had even before the commencement of the tour made it clear that Bumrah would be available for only three games in the five-Test series. According to that strategy, he played the first Test, and reports now suggest that he could be rested for the second game too. The final word on Bumrah playing or not would probably come on match day. The management is keeping his workload and fitness under close observation before deciding on the playing XI.
Bumrah’s Lethal Spell at Leeds
During the first Test at Leeds, Jasprit Bumrah was India’s finest bowler. He bowled an excellent spell in the first innings, claiming 5 wickets in 24.4 overs at an economy of 3.40, giving grief to England’s batsmen all along. The effort saw India bowl out England for 465 runs, an exceptional performance, as the rest of the Indian bowlers could not make the same level of impact.
In the second innings, Bumrah bowled tightly once more — 19 overs for 57 runs — but missed getting any wickets. He was, however, the sole Indian bowler who was applying consistent pressure to the opposition.
How Expensive Could Bumrah’s Absence Prove?
The question now is whether Jasprit Bumrah would play in the second Test. If not, it would weaken India’s bowling attack very badly. Having no match-winner like Bumrah, particularly in English conditions when his accuracy and experience would count, would be a big blow.
His five-wicket return in the first innings at Leeds demonstrated that he is India’s most menacing bowling arrow. If the team management decides to give him a break, it could boomerang. Alternatively, if Bumrah plays, it will provide India with a psychological advantage coming into the game.
