Will Jasprit Bumrah Play the Second Test Match Against England? Shubman Gill Clarifies

Jasprit Bumrah, despite India's defeat, became the first Asian bowl 150 Test wickets in SENA countries, with a five-wicket haul against England.

Will Jasprit Bumrah Play the Second Test Match Against England? Shubman Gill Clarifies

Indian skipper Shubman Gill clarified whether Jasprit Bumrah would be available for the second Test against England. (via Sports Tak)

Following India’s opening Test defeat to England, Indian red-ball skipper Shubman Gill provided an update on Jasprit Bumrah‘s availability for the remainder of the five-match series. Gill also explained why Bumrah was absent from the bowling attack during the final stages of that opening Test.

Despite delivering an impressive batting performance in the opening Test match at Headingley, the Indian team lost the match by five wickets. India’s average bowling display, lower batting order struggles and a poor fielding effort contributed to the team’s defeat. Across both innings, the Indian bowlers had a tough time, struggling to contain the English batters, who successfully chased down a target of 371 runs.

Jasprit Bumrah was the only standout bowler for the side, in the first innings. He ended with figures of 5/83, claiming the important wickets of Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett and Joe Root. However, Bumrah went wicket-less in the second innings, failing to get any major breakthrough, while giving away just 57 runs in his 19-over spell. Interestingly, towards the fag end of the match, Burmah did not come out to bowl even once. 

On the final day of play, Jasprit Bumrah last bowled in the 65th over when England were at 286/4, and needed another 85 runs to win the match. Even after taking the second new ball in the 80th over, Indian captain Shubman Gill surprisingly chose to bring Mohammed Siraj into the attack instead of Bumrah. It left many observers puzzled and fueled speculation that Bumrah might have sustained an injury.

Bumrah even received a shoulder massage on the field, suggesting he might bowl again. Despite not having handed the ball to Bumrah in the end, captain Shubman Gill later dismissed the fitness concerns surrounding the 31-year-old bowler, insisting that he was fully fit. He revealed that Bumrah’s omission from bowling in the final overs was a purely tactical decision, aimed at giving an opportunity to the other bowlers to scalp a wicket or two:

No, he’s [Jasprit Bumrah] completely fit. Nothing like that. They were 15 or 20 runs left, so we just wanted to give it to some other bowlers, but he is definitely fit.

Moreover, the 25-year-old was also questioned about what the team has decided upon Jasprit Bumrah’s availability in the second Test. To this, the Indian captain cautiously stated that it would be decided on a match-to-match basis. Gill added that the team has a long break prior to the Birmingham Test, and Bumrah’s participation would hinge on the prevailing conditions and the pitch:

It’s definitely match-by-match. We’ve got a good break after this match. Once we go to Birmingham and see the wicket, we will see if he’s [Bumrah] going to play that one or not.

There’s a possibility that the 31-year-old right-arm pacer might opt out of the second Test at Edgbaston, due to the pitch being batting-friendly, offering little assistance to pacers. Furthermore, Bumrah has been advised to manage his workload carefully because of his history of recurring injuries.

Big Leaps for Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill in Latest ICC Test Player Rankings; Jasprit Bumrah Remains on Top

Despite India’s disappointing loss to England in the first Test in Headingley in Leeds, players like Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill made significant strides in the ICC Test Batting Rankings. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah maintained his top position in the Test Bowling Rankings.

Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah ICC rankings
Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill gained significantly on the ICC Test Batting Rankings, while Jasprit Bumrah remained on top of the Bowling Rankings. (via CricToday)

Indian wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant ascended to a career-best 7th rank, after scoring hundreds in both the innings, making him the first Indian wicket-keeper to achieve this feat. Shubman Gill, who also scored a century in the first innings, climbed five places to reach the 20th spot. Meanwhile, young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal held onto his 4th position, trailing only Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Kane Williamson.

Meanwhile, in the Test Bowling Rankings, apart from Bumrah retaining the top spot, Ravindra Jadeja dropped down three places, to the 13th spot. However, the veteran all-rounder continues his record-breaking three-year reign atop the Test All-Rounder Rankings.