ENG vs IND 2025: Should India rest Jasprit Bumrah for 2nd Test?

The second Test of the ongoing five-match series is scheduled to get underway on Wednesday, July 2 at Edgbaston. The venue has not been a happy hunting ground for the Indians in their Test cricket history. India have also lost the opening game by five wickets at Headingley and will come into the game with some added pressure.

Meanwhile, one pressing issue which warrants discussion is whether Bumrah should be rested. Ahead of the series, there was already a question mark on how many Tests Bumrah would play to manage his workload. A few days earlier, Gautam Gambhir addressed the media that Bumrah would play no more than three Tests.

This essentially means that out of the four Test to go, India’s go-to bowler will play only two. While England have already announced their XI (an unchanged side from the first Test), India are yet to do the same. It is also understood that a decision on Bumrah would be taken at the last minute.

In the context of the series, now is the time for India to make a comeback. If Bumrah is rested, the likelihood of England dominating the visitors will increase. Bumrah was simply phenomenal in Leeds, in particular while the first innings as he bagged a five-for.

The difference in the quality and the overall impact could be seen to be at a different level when Bumrah was operating. There were hardly any freebies offered. He was right on the money with the majority of balls he bowled.

However, a flurry of boundaries were scored when the other bowlers came on. Even if the boundaries dried up, a lot of singles and doubles were on offer. In this case, it is imperative for Bumrah to play. India should go all-in and hope for the other bowlers to turn up in order to level the series and maybe then rest Bumrah for the third game.

Another way to look at this would be to rest him, bring in someone like Harshit Rana or Arshdeep Singh, and hope that they deliver the goods. There was quite a significant layover between the first and second Tests. By the time the third match commences, Bumrah would have probably gotten enough rest to operate for consecutive Tests without any injury scare.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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