Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has expressed disbelief over Jasprit Bumrah’s absence in the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Edgbaston. With India trailing 1-0 in the five-match series, Bumrah is being rested for workload management, and Akash Deep has stepped into the playing eleven. Captain Shubman Gill mentioned that the team management believes Lord’s will present Bumrah with more favorable conditions, but Shastri voiced his disappointment.
“This is a critical match. They’ve had a week off, so I’m surprised Bumrah isn’t playing,” Shastri stated during the Sky Sports broadcast. He emphasized that the responsibility of selecting players should rest with the captain and coaching staff rather than the players. “This match is crucial in the context of the series. You need to bring your best players to counter-punch immediately and aim to tie the series.”
Shastri highlighted India’s recent struggles, pointing out losses against New Zealand, Australia, and the first Test in this series. “To sit out the world’s best fast bowler after a week of rest is hard to comprehend,” he remarked.
Alongside Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy, who replaced B Sai Sudharsan and Shardul Thakur to strengthen the batting lineup, India’s approach without Bumrah significantly alters their strategy at Edgbaston. Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad echoed Shastri’s sentiments, expressing surprise at Bumrah’s absence and recalling his pre-series statement about playing only three of the five Tests. Broad noted, “A week is ample time off for a fast bowler. They will surely want Bumrah at Lord’s due to the swing potential, so can they afford to risk him here?”
The ongoing discussion around Bumrah’s selection underscores the team’s urgent need to bounce back in the series, evoking anticipation for how India will adapt moving forward. This scenario reinforces the significance of leadership decisions in a team sport, where strategies are increasingly vital for success.