New Delhi: Star Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah will be rested for the second Test of the ongoing five-match series against England, as part of a carefully planned workload management strategy, a BCCI source revealed on Thursday.
Bumrah was India’s standout performer during the first Test at Headingley, claiming 5 wickets for 83 runs in the first innings and bowling a total of 43.4 overs across both innings. However, the 31-year-old fast bowler will sit out the second Test, scheduled to be played at Edgbaston in Birmingham, with the team management focused on preserving him for the longer stretch of the season.
According to sources, Bumrah is expected to return for the third Test, which will take place at Lord’s in London from July 10 to 14. In Bumrah’s absence, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh is likely to make his Test debut. Arshdeep, who was crowned the ICC T20I Cricketer of the Year 2024, is part of India’s red-ball squad for the first time and will be eager to make an impact.
There is also a reported change in the all-rounder slot, with Nitish Kumar Reddy expected to replace Shardul Thakur. While Shardul did manage to take two wickets in two balls in the second innings of the Leeds Test, his limited impact with the bat and ball overall appears to have prompted the selectors to make the switch.
The decision to rest Bumrah, despite his excellent form, was defended by India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir during the post-match press conference after the first Test. Responding to suggestions, including those from former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, that Bumrah should feature in all five Tests, Gambhir said, “For us, managing his workload is more important because there’s a lot of cricket going forward, and we know what he brings to the table. Before the tour began, it was already decided that he would play only three Tests. But let’s see how his body reacts.”
Bumrah had previously played all five matches during the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but suffered a back injury in the final Test at Sydney. That setback sidelined him for over three months, and the management is wary of repeating that mistake.
India currently trails 0-1 in the five-match series and will be hoping that the fresh inclusions and rested key players like Bumrah can help them bounce back strongly in the remaining games.
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