### India Faces Criticism for Resting Jasprit Bumrah in Crucial Edgbaston Test In a controversial decision, the Indian cricket team opted to rest their star bowler Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test against England at Edgbaston, despite his full fitness. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from former players and analysts, particularly Ravi Shastri, who questioned the rationale behind sidelining a key player in a crucial match, especially after India's poor performance in recent Tests since October 2024. The team is currently trailing 1-0 in the five-match series, making the stakes even higher for this encounter [https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/bumrah-7-day-break-shastri-slams-india-playing-11-edgbaston-test-10101763, https://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/birmingham-test-why-india-left-out-jasprit-bumrah-england-test/20250702.htm]. ### Breakdown of the Situation Surrounding Bumrah's Resting 1. **Decision to Rest Bumrah**: - India decided to rest Bumrah as part of a workload management strategy, despite his availability and fitness [https://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/why-india-left-out-jasprit-bumrah-england-test/20250702.htm]. - Akash Deep was included in the playing XI as Bumrah's replacement, alongside other changes in the lineup [https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/england-vs-india-2nd-test-jasprit-bumrah-playing-xi-kuldeep-yadav-2749515-2025-07-02]. 2. **Criticism from Ravi Shastri**: - Shastri expressed his disapproval of the decision, emphasizing that resting a top bowler like Bumrah in a critical match is questionable [https://www.republicworld.com/cricket/ind-vs-eng-ravi-shastri-lambasts-gautam-gambhir-for-resting-jasprit-bumrah-in-second-test-at-edgbaston]. 3. **Team's Performance Context**: - India has struggled in Test matches recently, making the decision to rest a key player even more contentious [https://www.hindu.com/sport/cricket/england-vs-india-2nd-test-day-1-match-report-july-2-2025/article69763671.ece]. 4. **Captain's Justification**: - Captain Shubman Gill defended the decision, stating that it was a calculated move to manage Bumrah's workload, despite the team's current predicament [https://www.nationalworld.com/sport/shubman-gill-explains-indias-bold-move-to-rest-jasprit-bumrah-for-2nd-test-v-england-5205698]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Recent Performance**: India has not won a Test match since October 2024, raising concerns about their strategy and player management [https://www.hindu.com/sport/cricket/england-vs-india-2nd-test-day-1-match-report-july-2-2025/article69763671.ece]. - **Bumrah's Workload Management**: The decision to rest Bumrah aligns with a broader trend in cricket where teams are increasingly cautious about player fatigue and injury risks [https://www.outlookindia.com/sports/cricket/india-vs-england-jasprit-bumrahs-workload-management-availability-under-spotlight-in-five-test-series]. ### Conclusion: Implications of the Decision to Rest Bumrah **Key Findings**: 1. **Controversial Decision**: Resting Bumrah has sparked significant debate, with many questioning the wisdom of such a move in a high-stakes match. 2. **Performance Pressure**: India's recent poor form adds pressure to the decision, as they seek to level the series against England. 3. **Strategic Justification**: While the team management cites workload management, the effectiveness of this strategy in the context of current performance remains to be seen. In summary, India's choice to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test against England has raised eyebrows and sparked criticism, particularly given the team's recent struggles. The decision reflects a balancing act between player management and the immediate need for performance in a critical series [https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/bumrah-7-day-break-shastri-slams-india-playing-11-edgbaston-test-10101763, https://www.nationalworld.com/sport/shubman-gill-explains-indias-bold-move-to-rest-jasprit-bumrah-for-2nd-test-v-england-5205698].