India’s premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is likely to be rested for the second Test against England at Edgbaston, starting July 2, as part of a pre-planned workload management program, according to a report in The Indian Express.
Bumrah, who made a successful return to red-ball cricket after recovering from a serious back injury, bowled 24.4 high-impact overs in the first Test at Leeds, claiming a five-wicket haul, his 14th in Test cricket. Despite his heroics, India lost the match by five wickets, a result largely blamed on poor fielding and an inconsistent pace attack.
Bumrah was let down by his teammates, with three catches dropped off his bowling — all of them reprieving Harry Brook, who went on to score 99. The rest of the pace unit — Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, and Shardul Thakur — lacked the same threat and control.
With just four days between the second and third Tests, and the third being scheduled at Lord’s, the team management is keen to preserve Bumrah for the more grueling stretch of the five-match series.
“If we leave out Bumrah and Siraj, there is not much experience in the line-up but we need to back them as they have got talent,” head coach Gautam Gambhir said after the Leeds loss.
“This pace attack comprises of one bowler who has played four Tests, another who has played two, and one who hasn’t played a Test.”
Bumrah’s likely exclusion, while precautionary, will create a major void in an already underperforming bowling group. With Siraj expected to lead the attack, India might recall Arshdeep Singh or bring in spinner Kuldeep Yadav, depending on pitch conditions.
Bumrah’s absence could also amplify the pressure on captain Shubman Gill, who came under scrutiny for passive captaincy and field placements during the first Test. With India trailing 0-1 in the series, the upcoming Test becomes a must-win to regain momentum.