Ravi Shastri strongly criticised India’s decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test against England at Edgbaston. The former India head coach expressed his surprise and disappointment, saying that such an important match should have featured India’s best fast bowler, especially when he was fit and had enough rest.
Shastri placed the responsibility for this decision on captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir, saying they should have ensured Bumrah played in this crucial game. India had lost the first Test at Headingley and needed a win to stay alive in the five-match series.
“He should have been playing” – Shastri furious on live TV
Speaking on Sky Sports’ expert panel before the first ball was bowled, Shastri showed visible disappointment and confusion over the choice.
“You have the best fast bowler in the world and you make him sit out after seven days of rest. That is something very hard to believe,” said Shastri, shaking his head.
Shastri, also on commentary alongside Michael Atherton, was quick to slam the team management when Atherton said it seemed like a strange call.
“Very strange and baffling as far as I’m concerned. If he’s fit to play, he should play,” Shastri responded.
Decision lies with captain and head coach – says Shastri
Ravi Shastri made it clear that Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir should have made the final call on Bumrah’s inclusion. He said the rest of the coaching staff should not be involved in such big decisions.
“I mean, that decision should be entirely in the hands of the captain and the head coach. Not the entire coaching staff, but only the head coach and the captain,” he added.
Read More
Shastri underlined that it was a must-win game for India, and there should have been no excuses for keeping Bumrah out if he was fit.
“And like you mentioned, a week between test matches, this is an important test match, a must-win game for India. If they have to stay alive in the series, then you need your premier fast bowler playing. And no ifs and buts, he should have been playing,” said Shastri.
Gill’s explanation doesn’t sit well with fans or experts
Before the match began, Shubman Gill confirmed in a press interaction that Bumrah was fit and available. However, he said the team might rest him because of workload management.
At the toss, Gill explained:
“I think this is an important match for us, but I think the third match of the series being at Lord’s, there might be a chance that there might be a little bit more in the wicket than this one, so we thought we’d bring him better now,” said the India skipper.
Bumrah’s pre-series fitness and availability
Even before the series started, Bumrah had confirmed that he would play only three Tests in the five-match series. After his injury in the Sydney Test against Australia, medical experts advised him to be extra cautious with his workload. This concern was also why Bumrah was not made Test captain after Rohit Sharma’s retirement.
Despite India losing the first Test, head coach Gautam Gambhir stated that Bumrah’s workload management plan would not change, leaving fans and former cricketers surprised and unhappy.
Read More
Also Read: Los Angeles Lakers: Roster, Schedule For California Classic, Summer League
