The decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah, India's premier fast bowler, for the second Test against England at Edgbaston has triggered a wave of criticism, with former South African pacer Dale Steyn being among the most vocal. The decision is particularly surprising given that India trails 0-1 in the five-match series.
Steyn expressed his bewilderment in a sarcastic post on social media, comparing Bumrah's exclusion to Portugal benching Cristiano Ronaldo, their star striker. "So Portugal have the best striker in the world in Ronaldo and they chose not to play him. That's madness," Steyn wrote. "That's like India having Bumrah and choosing not to play, umm, him… wait, oh, no, what! sh*t I'm confused".
The rationale behind resting Bumrah, as explained by skipper Shubman Gill, is workload management, with the pacer expected to return for the third Test at Lord's. However, this explanation has failed to appease many, including Steyn, who see Bumrah as indispensable, especially in crucial overseas Tests. Bumrah is currently the No. 1 ranked Test bowler and has been instrumental in India's victories, consistently performing as their go-to match-winner in foreign conditions.
The decision to rest Bumrah is made more questionable by India's choice to field three all-rounders and just five specialist batters at Edgbaston. This suggests a prioritization of batting depth, possibly stemming from the lower-order collapses in the Headingley Test, where India lost 7 for 41 and 6 for 31 in both innings. However, critics argue that sacrificing a genuine wicket-taker like Bumrah for additional batting cover is a risky gamble.
Former South African captain AB de Villiers also voiced his disagreement with the decision to rest Bumrah, calling it "mismanagement". He referenced Dale Steyn's situation, advocating for India to emulate South Africa's strategy of resting key bowlers in less critical white-ball series to ensure their availability for all important Test matches. De Villiers believes Bumrah should participate in all five Test matches against England.
The absence of Bumrah, especially at a venue like Edgbaston that traditionally favors seam movement, has raised concerns about India's chances of leveling the series. The decision has sparked debate among fans and cricket experts alike, with many questioning the logic of resting a top-ranked bowler in a must-win game. While workload management is crucial, some argue that Bumrah's presence is vital for India's success, and his absence significantly weakens their bowling attack.
Whether the decision to rest Bumrah will prove to be a strategic masterstroke or a costly error remains to be seen. However, the controversy surrounding his exclusion highlights the high stakes and intense scrutiny that come with every team selection in high-profile series.
