The Indian team's management of Jasprit Bumrah's workload and the subsequent team selection for the second Test against England has stirred considerable debate and discussion among cricket experts and fans alike. The decision to rest Bumrah, coupled with other changes in the playing XI, has particularly "bamboozled" former England captain Michael Vaughan, while also drawing scrutiny from other prominent figures such as Gautam Gambhir and Kumar Sangakkara.

Prior to the series, it was understood that Bumrah, recognized as one of the world's premier bowlers, would not participate in all five Test matches due to workload management. This pre-planned strategy, intended to keep him fresh for crucial games, has however, divided opinions. While some experts, like former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, have supported the idea of utilizing Bumrah in short, impactful spells to maximize his effectiveness throughout the series, others have questioned the wisdom of resting him for such a significant match.

The decision to rest Bumrah for the second Test has raised concerns about India's ability to take 20 wickets, especially on a pitch expected to favor batting. His absence places added pressure on the remaining pace attack, which includes Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and Prasidh Krishna, to maintain consistency and deliver breakthroughs.

Adding to the debate is the inclusion of multiple all-rounders in the playing XI, with Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Kumar Reddy all getting the nod ahead of Kuldeep Yadav. While Sundar and Jadeja offer control and batting depth, some critics argue that India is missing a trick by not including a wrist spinner like Kuldeep, who could provide a more attacking option. Several former players have advocated for Kuldeep's inclusion, but it seems unlikely after Shubman Gill's admission that it's a tough call to leave the wrist spinner out.

The selection of the playing XI also saw a few changes from the first Test, with Akash Deep, Washington Sundar and Nitish Reddy replacing Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur and Sai Sudharsan. This reshuffling reflects a desire to strengthen the batting lineup and add more stability down the order.

India opted to field a cautious and arguably defensive XI in the second Test by including three all-rounders. This decision has been met with mixed reactions, with some questioning whether it's the right approach to win a Test match in England. Kumar Sangakkara has openly disagreed with Gautam Gambhir's decision to rest Bumrah for the second Test. He feels that Gambhir is under pressure to turn around India's poor Test record, which has seen them lose seven Tests since September of last year.

Despite the criticism, India had a decent showing on the first day of the second Test, reaching 310/5 at stumps. Captain Shubman Gill led from the front with an impressive unbeaten century, supported by Yashasvi Jaiswal's brilliant 87 and Ravindra Jadeja's steady innings.