Following criticism from former Indian players Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar regarding the decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test against England, Yashasvi Jaiswal has strongly defended Shubman Gill's captaincy and team selections. The decision to rest Bumrah, who had taken a five-wicket haul in the first innings of the previous Test, was met with surprise and disappointment by Shastri and Gavaskar, who questioned the logic of benching the "best fast bowler in the world" for such a crucial match.

India, trailing 0-1 in the five-match series, made three changes to their playing XI for the second Test at Edgbaston. Akash Deep replaced Bumrah, while Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar came in for Sai Sudharsan and Shardul Thakur. Gill explained that Bumrah was rested as part of workload management, with the team anticipating more favorable conditions for him at Lord's in the third Test.

Shastri, however, found it difficult to accept the decision, arguing that Bumrah should have played, especially considering the importance of the match. He stated that the decision to rest Bumrah should not have been left to the player and that the captain and coach should have made the call. Gavaskar echoed Shastri's sentiment, calling the decision "baffling".

Despite the criticism, Jaiswal firmly supported Gill's choices, emphasizing the captain's clarity of thought and the team's confidence in their plans. "There's no confusion regarding the squad. He's (Shubman) very clear about what he wants to do. He has been amazing with the bat," Jaiswal told reporters. He lauded Gill's batting and captaincy, highlighting the positive environment within the team.

Jaiswal and Gill's partnership on the first day of the second Test showcased their strong understanding and chemistry. Jaiswal's aggressive 87 and Gill's composed, unbeaten century helped India reach a solid 310 for 5 at the end of the day's play. Gill's innings, in particular, demonstrated his leadership and ability to perform under pressure.

The decision to rest Bumrah also sparked debate about India's reliance on him and the need to manage his workload carefully, given his history of back injuries. Bumrah had undergone surgery for a lower back stress fracture in 2022 and missed a significant amount of cricket due to recurring back issues.

Earlier in the series, Bumrah had shown support for Jaiswal after the young opener dropped several catches off his bowling in the first Test. Bumrah downplayed the errors and emphasized the importance of supporting young players, stating that they would learn from their mistakes.

While the decision to rest Bumrah remains a subject of debate, Jaiswal's strong defense of Gill's captaincy and the team's performance on the first day of the second Test have helped toProject a sense of unity and purpose within the Indian camp.