India is playing England in the second Test of the five-match series at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham. After losing the first Test at Headingley, Shubman Gill’s team wants to win in Birmingham to tie the series 1-1, so they’ve made three changes to their starting lineup.
The biggest surprise for India was that Jasprit Bumrah isn’t playing. South African bowler Dale Steyn was confused by the decision to rest Bumrah and shared his surprise at the Indian team’s choice.
In a post on X, Steyn criticized coach Gautam Gambhir and the Indian team for resting Jasprit Bumrah, calling it madness. He even compared it to Portugal leaving Cristiano Ronaldo out of their lineup.
Steyn wrote, So Portugal have Ronaldo, the best striker, and they chose not to play him. That’s madness. It’s like India having Bumrah and choosing not to play him… wait, what! I’m confused.
Jasprit Bumrah is missing the second Test between India and England to manage his workload. After recovering from his back injury, Bumrah said he would only play three of the five games. So, he’s resting for the second Test at Edgbaston.
Reports say he’ll be back in the India lineup for the third Test against England at Lord’s Cricket Ground. Akash Deep is playing in Jasprit Bumrah’s place.
Captain Shubman Gill said at the toss, We rested Jasprit Bumrah to manage his workload. We had a good break, and this is an important game for us. But since the third Test is at Lord’s, we believe that pitch will offer so we’ll use him there.