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There was loads of debate over India’s decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the continuing Test against England in Birmingham.
Jasprit Bumrah was India’s best bowler on show in the primary Test. (AP Photo)
Before flying to England for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, India head coach Gautam Gambhir had made it clear that they don’t plan to play Jasprit Bumrah in all five Tests of the tour. Bumrah’s participation, Gambhir had said, will probably be limited to a few Tests but he didn’t specify which games.
India lost the series opener in Leeds despite their batters hitting five centuries and Bumrah picking up a five-wicket haul. With the Shubman Gill-led side trailing 0-1, the tourists rested their pace ace for the second Test in Birmingham that got under way from Wednesday – a call that was widely criticised.
Former England cricketer David Lloyd has joined the list of critics arguing the Indian team was concerned about their lead pacer’s workload, there was a seven-day gap between the primary and second Tests indicating enough time to rest and recuperate.
“Let’s speak about Jasprit Bumrah. If you happen to are the very best bowler on the earth, your team is trailing and also you’ve just had per week off, try to be fit, firing and able to go again,” Lloyd wrote in his column for the Every day Mail.
“The plot thickens. Has Jasprit said ‘I’ll miss this Test and play at Lord’s’ or have the Indian medics said he’s not able to play? There’s an aura. I’m old fashioned. If you happen to’re a cricketer, then play cricket,” he added.
India made three changes to their playing XI that took the sector in Leeds. They benched B Sai Sudharsan and Shardul Thakur while resting Bumrah. Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar and Akash Deep have replaced the trio.
Lloyd claimed that the changes give an impression that the team is frightened about batting collapses and subsequently lengthened the tail.
“India made three changes and what I’m hearing is that their camp could be completely satisfied to get to Lord’s, just one-nil down. They lengthened the tail after the collapses at Headingley and my interpretation is that they’ve loaded this team with batters and could be completely satisfied with a draw. If you happen to get into that mindset before you’ve even began, you’re shooting yourself within the foot,” he wrote.
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and all the pieces that’s cricket from everywhere in the globe. Follow @cricketnext
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and all the pieces that’s cricket from everywhere in the globe. Follow @cricketnext
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