'It's like Portugal resting Ronaldo': Dale Steyn slams India team management for sparking 'madness' by benching Jasprit Bumrah

On July 2, former South African pacer Dale Steyn didn’t hold back as he took a dig at India’s team management, involving captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir, for sidelining Jasprit Bumrah in the second Test against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham. In a move that raised eyebrows, India brought in Akash Deep in Bumrah’s place, one of three changes made to the playing XI.

Steyn left confused

Steyn could not come to terms with the actuality that India rested Bumrah for the Edgbaston Test, saying it is similar to Portugal benching Cristiano Ronaldo.

“So Portugal have the best striker in the world in Ronaldo and they chose not to play him. That's madness. That’s like India having Bumrah and choosing not to play, umm, him… wait, oh, no, what! shit I’m confused,” Steyn tweeted.

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Team management sticking to plans

It was distinctly made clear that the workload of Bumrah had to be monitored carefully during India's Test tour to England. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar in the pre-departure press conference, revealed in May that Bumrah would feature in only three Test matches, considering the factors strictly advised by the BCCI medical team.

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After India fell behind 0-1 in the Test series with a defeat in Leeds, many cricket analysts questioned the decision to sideline Bumrah for the following match in Birmingham. Especially, since the 31-year-old had claimed a five-wicket haul in the first innings of the opening Test, while his fellow pacers failed to make an impact had raised expectations for his continued presence. Nonetheless, Gambhir and Gill proceeded with their plan, confirming that Bumrah would sit out the Edgbaston Test, disregarding public and expert opinion alike.

Gill explains why Bumrah was rested

“Just to manage his workload. We did get a good break and this is an important match for us. But the third Test being at Lord's, we think there'll be more in that pitch so we'll use him there,” Gill explained at the toss.

India concluded Day 1 in the second Test at 310 for five after the captain scored a second consecutive ton in the series.