Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir. (Photo source: X)
India’s decision to leave out ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah and spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the second Test against England at Edgbaston has triggered massive criticism, with fans and experts questioning the logic behind the changes.
Trailing 0-1 in the five-match series, India entered the Edgbaston Test in pursuit of bouncing back. However, the announcement of the playing XI, without Bumrah and Kuldeep, led to significant attention. Skipper Shubman Gill confirmed three changes, including the addition of all-rounders Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Akash Deep, dropping Sai Sudharsan, Shardul Thakur, and Bumrah.
Meanwhile, England captain Ben Stokes called it correctly at the toss and elected to bowl first. The hosts made sure to make the most of the overcast conditions, removing KL Rahul in the morning session, thanks to Chris Woakes.
Bumrah, coming off a five-wicket haul in Leeds, was rested by the management, with Gill explaining that the decision was based on saving him for the Lord’s Test. However, many, including former coach Ravi Shastri, felt this was the wrong decision.
"This is a very important match, they've had a week off. I'm little surprised Bumrah is not playing this game. It should be taken out of the player's hand. It should be the captain and the coaching staff that should decide who should be playing the 11. This is an important game in the context of the series, he should be playing this game more than anything else. Lord’s can come later. This is the important game where you got to counter punch almost straightaway. Play this one. Make it 1-1 and then give him the option: you want to rest at Lord’s, rest at Lord’s. You think he’ll rest at Lord’s? No chance if you win this," he said on air.
The other major point of contention was Kuldeep Yadav’s exclusion. The left-arm wrist-spinner was expected to play after India’s bowling attack failed to trouble England in Leeds. Yet, Gill explained they chose Washington Sundar over Kuldeep due to his batting abilities, providing depth in the lower order after tailenders contributed just nine runs combined in the first Test. The trio of Gambhir, Gill, and the team management has received immense criticism for their selection choices.
Check out how X reacted to India's playing XI for the second Test against England at Edgbaston:
