Cricket: Indian selectors face widespread criticism over Jasprit Bumrah’s omission from crucial Edgbaston Test
Former greats question Bumrah’s exclusion from Indian squad
After scoring five centuries but still suffering a mind-boggling defeat at Headingley last week, India is on course to challenge to level the five-match series in Edgbaston this weekend, following a captain’s knock from Shubman Gill and an impressive series debut from Akash Deep.
However, despite the Men in Blue posting a first innings target of 587 and knocking over three English batters before stumps on Day 2, there are still lingering doubts over the team’s decision to allow Jasprit Bumrah to sit out this crucial match.
Bumrah sustained an injury to his back during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the start of the year and was forced to miss India’s Champions Trophy triumph as well as the Indian Premier League for the Mumbai Indians due to undergoing rehabilitation.
The world’s top-ranked fast bowler mentioned before this series that he is aiming to play three of the five Tests, but given there was a week-long gap between the first and second match, some former players have expressed shock at his omission, while others have lambasted the Indian selectors, such as Ravi Shastri, who said:
“This is a very important match, and they’ve had a week off. I’m a little surprised Bumrah is not playing this game. It should be taken out of the player's hands. You’ve lost three against New Zealand, three against Australia, and the first Test here. You want to get back to winning ways. You have the best fast bowler in the world and you make him sit out after seven days of rest—it’s something very hard to believe.”
However, it was not just former India players who weighed in on the 31-year-old’s exclusion, with England great Stuart Broad echoing similar sentiments during an interview with Sky Sports after the opening day of the second Test. He said:
"A week is a very good time off for a fast bowler. (Bumrah's omission) does surprise me and what also surprised me was him saying before the series he will only play three of the five Tests. You keep those cards close to your chest and play each week as it comes.”
However, despite these questions, India’s selectors, which include head coach Gautam Gambhir, have pointed to the fact that they have enough reinforcements to ensure sufficient coverage in Bumrah’s absence, while also suggesting that they are saving him for the Lord’s Test next week.
Akash Deep steps up in Bumrah’s absence
If India goes on to lose the Edgbaston Test, the criticism around Bumrah’s absence will certainly turn up a notch, but for now, it seems that the team may be able to sidestep those arguments, thanks to the impressive series debut of Akash Deep.
Deep was brought into the squad to replace Bumrah for the second Test and looked as though he was going to endure a tough match after going for 12 runs in his first over. However, the pacer bounced back in his second over by claiming the prized wicket of Ben Duckett.
Thereafter, the 28-year-old, who had an excellent IPL campaign with the Lucknow Super Giants, sent his teammates into a frenzy with his very next ball, dismissing the ultra-dangerous Ollie Pope for a golden duck, with the England number three edging to KL Rahul in the slip cordon.
Fellow speedster Mohammed Siraj put India firmly in the driver’s seat five overs later by dismissing Zak Crawley for 19 runs of 30 deliveries before Joe Root and Harry Brook battled to get their team to stumps at 77/3 heading into what should be a captivating Day 3 on Friday.
