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Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin suggested Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill to go with Jasprit Bumrah in the second Test against England if the speedster wants to play because the team have lost the opener clash of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025.
Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers for India in the Headingley Test where he bowled 43.4 overs and picked up a fifer in the first inning, which India lost by five wickets after allowing England to chase down 371. However, he went wicketless in the second innings, and he was not even called upon to bowl when England needed 85 more runs for the win.
Even before the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Bumrah himself made it clear that he would be playing only three Tests of the five-match series. After his five-wicket haul in the first Test, there were talks to go with Bumrah in all Tests. However, India head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed there would be no change in plans, and the speedster would play only three Tests.
"If we talk about this Test match, will you play Bumrah? Yes, if Bumrah wants to play. By all means, as a coach or anybody, I would also always want Bumrah to play. Because Bumrah's factor in the game is very big. And especially, we are 1-0 behind in a series. Obviously, we have decided this earlier. And Bumrah has also suggested that he has to play 3 Tests. And that is the best way to manage his workload," said Ashwin on his YouTube channel 'Ash Ki Baat'.
"I would rather say, we have got a 10-day bonus. So, he can be ready for this game. So, let's just say, if he plays this game and it becomes 1-1. You have a chance to rest him in the 3rd or 4th test. And you can bring him back. But if this Test match also goes wrong, you can always rest him and just play him in the 4th Test," he added.
India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate also confirmed that Bumrah is fit and available for selection for the second Test but the management will take a call on his participation before the second Test.
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