Former India coach Ravi Shastri has issued a clear warning to the Indian team management — think twice before benching Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test at Edgbaston. With India trailing 0-1 in the five-match series after a morale-denting five-wicket loss at Headingley, Shastri believes omitting the world’s No.1 Test bowler now could dig India into a deeper hole.
England chased down 371 — their second-highest successful target in Test history — on the final day, capitalising on India’s lack of penetration with the ball in the fourth innings. Bumrah was exceptional in the first innings with figures of 5/83, but went wicketless in the second as the rest of the attack struggled to apply pressure.
“If he (Bumrah) was looking at a rest, you may have to think twice,” Shastri said on Sky Sports. “If you don’t have him and then go 2-0 down, it could be an uphill task.”
India’s pace battery without Bumrah looks shaky. Thakur, Siraj and Prasidh Krishna returned combined figures of 9 for 482 from 92 overs — a stark contrast to Bumrah’s 5/140 from 43.4 overs at a tight economy rate.
However, the team management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir, remains firm on managing Bumrah’s workload. In the post-match presser, Gambhir confirmed that the decision to play Bumrah in only three of the five Tests had been taken prior to the tour.
“We know what he brings to the table. But for us, managing his workload is more important because there’s a lot of cricket going forward. It was already decided he would play three Tests. Let’s see how his body responds,” Gambhir said.
The precaution stems from a stress reaction in Bumrah’s back, sustained during the Sydney Test in January. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar had also echoed this stance when announcing the squad.
While some, including Sunil Gavaskar, have argued for playing Bumrah in all five Tests given the stakes, Gambhir is looking at the long-term picture — but critics are now questioning if India can afford to stick to that strategy after going 0-1 down.
With the second Test beginning on July 2 in Birmingham — a venue known for assisting seamers — the Bumrah debate is heating up. Can India risk sitting out their most potent weapon in such a crunch situation?
