India heads for the second test against England in Birmingham with a large dilemma of choice. The young party, led by SHUBMAN GILL, exceeded expectations with the bat, but the bowling group could not contain the fiery England of the lineup. Despite scoring over 800 runs in two shifts, India lost the first test with five goals.
Changes seem inevitableBut the big question remains: Can India afford to relax Jasprit Bumrah for the second test, especially after the lack of performances of the rest of the bowling attack in Leeds? Before the India series, it was publicly announcing that Bumrah would only play three out of five tests, in accordance with the plans of working workload.
When the Indian bat unit delivered in the series, they hoped to earn and take the lead 1-0. Bumrah resting after a strong beginning could make sense, but the situation has changed drastically. Now India risks that he will not have his premiere superior at a time when they need an immediate counterpoint.
Chief coach Gautam Gambhir insisted after leeds defeat India would not change its plans to limit Bumhrah to three tests.
The assistant coach Ryan, who addressed the media on Monday in Birmingham, maintained tension and stated that the decision on Bumhrah’s inclusion would be taken closer to the second test, which begins on Wednesday, July. However, he confirmed that Bumrah feels suitable and prepared if he is called, especially after an eight -day break.
I hope Bumrah plays: Ravi Shastri
Former head coach Ravi Shastri emphasized the importance of rapid reaction and expressed hope that Bumrah would attract fields in Edgbaston.
“Now, whether Bumrah plays or doesn’t play, you don’t know. But hopefully yes, because it’s a very important test match and everything won’t get lost,” Shastri ICC said.
“You’ll take it after one game at once. It’s a series of five matches and India will hope to be bounce back,” he added.
Can India win without Bumhrah?
The 0-2 deficit would cause India to be deeply difficult, although it seems that team leadership perceives it in such sharp conditions.
Ten morning, there was a quiet confidence, suggesting that India could still equalize the series without bumstaries in XI.
“It is (tempting to play Bumhrah), but we also feel that we can go 1-1 or keep the score to 1-0 without jasprit. Again, it puts the eggs in the rear end of the series. We will also need it at a certain stage.
“In the second half we got quite close without jasprit (in Leeds). He didn’t get any goals. But in no way you can’t win a test series with one pitch.”
The Indian bench lacks experience. From Monday full training, Akash Deep-, who played only seven first-class AA-MIGHT matches, gained a look. Fast Howling All-Rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy also put a shift on the fronts of the tab and bowling.
Shardul Thakur could have been dropped on a huge trip with the bat and the ball in Leeds. The team must also decide whether it will persist with Prasidh Krishná after discipline and expensive performance in the first test. India could consider the Arshdeep Singha variant from the left shoulder, which has a cricket experience from the district under the belt.
BUMRAH MUST MAKE U LAND?
Meanwhile, England Pacer Mark Wood believes that India simply can’t afford to relax bumrah in Edgbaston and risk that he will be 0-2 down in the series.
“They can’t afford to go 2-0 down. So you want your best pitch,” Wood Sky Sports said.
“There is no way to say,” I don’t play with the master. “I don’t think so.
Former England Captain Michael Atherton offered an interesting perspective and noted that a tight turn between the second and third tests could make India a difficult call.
Edgbaston hosts the second test from 2 to 6 July, while the third Lord’s test starts only four days later, 10 July. The fourth test, Old Trafford, Manchester, starts after a weekly break of 23 July.
Three on trot?
Atherton said he was almost sure that Bumrah would want to play with Lord, one of the most famous cricket sites. Bumrah played only one test for Lord’s-Dirruging on a Tour-Tour-Tour-Throung Tour-Tour-Tour-Tour.
“The cricket conditions should definitely play in Edgbaston and I would think very carefully about Old Trafford, because it is a kind of land where the pace and return swing is really important.
Wood added that India can do Bumhrah with three direct tests if they use it as a strike of a pitch and avoid overload with long spells.
“Yes, I think they can. Maybe they will have to use it as a strike of a pitch and not for longer spells. He could do it. For someone like me, the third game of the series was always difficult. But I think his natural abilities will be fine.
Bumrah was more aware of the workload management, especially after a recurring back appeared during the Gavascar border trophy. He pushed all five tests in Australia to disintegrate during the decisive referee in Sydney.
Pacer also missed Trophy Champions early this year. Before the England tour Bumhrah revealed that he had rejected the opportunity of the captain of the test team To better handle his workload and extend his international career.
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Published:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
1 July 2025
Tune
