Cricket fans and former legends are in disbelief as India rested star pacer Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test against England, despite trailing 1-0 in the series. Bumrah, who tormented England with a five-wicket haul in the first match at Headingley, was benched for workload management reasons.
Captain Shubman Gill defended the decision, saying Bumrah would be more effective in the third Test at Lord’s. However, critics aren’t buying the explanation. Former coach Ravi Shastri slammed the move, calling it “very hard to believe” and a missed opportunity to regain momentum.
Also Read: India Selects Gill Over Bumrah for England Test Captaincy
Australian coach Tom Moody also expressed concern, saying India’s strategy of adding all-rounders instead of specialists could backfire. The team’s selection has raised eyebrows, especially with only five specialist batsmen and a weakened bowling attack.
England’s former skipper Nasser Hussain noted that India’s collapse wasn’t because of Bumrah’s performance but due to poor catching and middle-order failures. He questioned whether India had panicked in team selection despite showing promise in the first Test.
India’s decision to drop the world’s No. 1 Test bowler at such a crucial moment has now turned into a full-blown controversy, with fans and experts alike demanding answers.
