### India’s Bold Decision to Rest Jasprit Bumrah Sparks Controversy Amidst Test Series Struggles In a surprising move, the Indian cricket team management decided to rest their star pacer Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test against England at Edgbaston. This decision came after a disappointing loss in the first Test, raising eyebrows among fans and experts alike. Former head coach Ravi Shastri was particularly vocal in his criticism, questioning the rationale behind sidelining a fully fit Bumrah in a crucial match. Despite the controversy, India managed to secure a historic victory at Edgbaston, leading to mixed reactions regarding the decision to rest their ace bowler. ### Breakdown of the Situation and Reactions 1. **Background of the Series**: - India lost the first Test against England by five wickets, putting them at a disadvantage in the five-match series [https://www.indiatvnews.com/sports/cricket/will-jasprit-bumrah-return-for-ind-vs-eng-3rd-test-at-lords-captain-shubman-gill-drops-update-2025-07-06-997703]. - The decision to rest Bumrah was part of a broader strategy to manage player workloads, especially given India's poor performance in recent Test matches [https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/edgbaston-test-india-rests-bumrah-as-england-sends-gill-led-side-to-bat-first-1888883]. 2. **Criticism from Ravi Shastri**: - Shastri expressed disbelief at the decision, stating, "You sit out the best bowler in the world after a 7-day break," highlighting the absurdity of resting a key player in a must-win scenario [https://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/india-in-england-shastri-slams-decision-to-rest-bumrah/20250702.htm]. - His comments reflect a broader sentiment among former players who questioned the team's strategy [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/indias-omission-bumrah-causes-widespread-bafflement-5216551]. 3. **Team Management's Justification**: - Captain Shubman Gill defended the decision, emphasizing the importance of managing player fitness over the long series [https://www.nationalworld.com/sport/shubman-gill-explains-indias-bold-move-to-rest-jasprit-bumrah-for-2nd-test-v-england-5205698]. - The management aimed to ensure Bumrah's availability for the remaining matches, considering the physical demands of Test cricket [https://www.firstpost.com/firstcricket/india-rest-jasprit-bumrah-2nd-test-england-ravi-shastri-slams-shubman-gill-gautam-gambhir-decision-13902394.html]. ### Evidence and Data Supporting the Claims - **Performance Metrics**: - Bumrah had taken five wickets in the first Test, showcasing his critical role in the team's bowling lineup [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jul/01/india-england-jasprit-bumrah-cricket-second-test-edgbaston]. - India's recent record in Test cricket has been poor, with only one win in their last nine matches, emphasizing the need for strong performances from key players like Bumrah [https://www.dtnext.in/amp/news/sports/you-sit-out-the-worlds-best-bowler-after-seven-day-break-shastri-stunned-by-indias-bumrah-call-838908]. ### Conclusion: A Controversial Decision with Mixed Outcomes 1. **Key Findings**: - The decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah was met with significant backlash, particularly from Ravi Shastri and other cricketing experts, who deemed it ill-timed and baffling [https://www.insidesport.in/cricket/hard-to-believe-ravi-shastri-sunil-gavaskar-slam-gautam-gambhir-for-resting-jasprit-bumrah]. - Despite the controversy, India achieved a remarkable victory at Edgbaston, which may complicate the narrative surrounding the decision to rest Bumrah. 2. **Implications for Future Matches**: - The management's approach to player fitness will likely continue to be scrutinized, especially as the series progresses and the stakes rise [https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/very-strange-and-baffling-ravi-shastri-slams-shubman-gill-gautam-gambhir-for-resting-jasprit-bumrah-in-edgbaston-test]. - The balance between player health and team performance remains a critical discussion point in the context of modern cricket [https://www.sportingnews.com/in/cricket/news/bumrah-should-ve-played-ravi-shastri-gambhir-gill-team-selection/d91fff72762bc04b32b22cab].