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The debate around Jasprit Bumrah's absence in second Test against England in Birmingham is still on and already has sparked considerable criticism, with head coach Gautam Gambhir bearing the brunt of the disapproval. Bumrah was rested for the second Test despite having a week -long interval following the series opener at Leed's which India lost by five wickets. The official reason provided was Bumrah's workload management, a justification that has left many former cricketers and cricket pundits perplexed.
The controversy is further fueled by the revelation that the team had a pre-determined strategy to play Bumrah in only three of the five Tests. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has been notably resolute in defending this plan, and his unyielding stance has drawn significant scrutiny. One perspective suggests that Bumrah was rested to ensure his fitness for the crucial upcoming Test at Lord's. This line of reasoning is being questioned, particularly given the benign nature of the Edgbaston pitch on the first day, which was reminiscent of the unresponsive surface at Leeds where India faced a known negative result.
This situation has led to a debate about the strategic wisdom of benching a premier bowler at such a critical juncture. Many are questioning whether it would have been more prudent to field Bumrah at Edgbaston to maximise India's chances of leveling the series and avoiding a daunting 0-2 deficit.
Adding to this discussion, legendary cricketer and former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara has weighed in, asserting that Bumrah's inclusion in this particular Test was essential for the team's prospects.
“Interesting to understand how the decision is being made and who makes it? Is it after a consultation with the players or the physios? It depends on whether the Lord’s Test is more important than the series? The series is on the line. If we see the score, it’s an even day, perhaps a little bit more tilted towards England with the five wickets down. So I would have expected the coach to have gone to Bumrah and say ‘Yes, we thought you might play the 3rd and the 5th Test, but we’re going 1 and 2. Take a look if you can play the third if you can, because then you’ve got two weeks off before the next one,” Sangakkara said on Sky Sports.
Little bit of baggage as well to turn that pattern around: Kumar Sangakkara on Jasprit Bumrah's absence in Edgbaston Test
The surprises in India's Playing XI extended beyond the omission of Bumrah, as the team management implemented a total of three changes. In addition to Akash Deep coming in for Bumrah, all-rounder Nitish Reddy replaced Shardul Thakur, and Washington Sundar was included in place of Sai Sudharsan. Further adding to the unexpected tactical shifts, Karun Nair was promoted to bat at number three, a significant jump from his number six position in the previous Test at Headingley, a move that also drew scrutiny.
Such extensive chopping and changing in the lineup is often interpreted as a sign of panic and instability within a team's camp. However, former cricketer Kumar Sangakkara offers a different perspective on the situation. He posits that these decisions are not merely reactionary but are indicative of a deeper issue. Sangakkara strongly suggests that head coach Gautam Gambhir is feeling the weight of India's recent poor form in Test cricket. He believes Gambhir is carrying the 'baggage' of the team's seven Test match losses since September of the previous year, and that this immense pressure is influencing the frequent and surprising alterations to the team composition.
“It’s not just a reaction to the last Test. I think there is a bit of chat about the last 9-10. Seven losses, one win, one draw. There is a little bit of baggage as well to turn that pattern around. So there was a lot of pressure and they were looking at this game and thinking ‘alright, what can we do?’ and they ring in all the changes," Sangakkara concluded.
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