Birmingham– On the eve of the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Indian captain Shubman Gill addressed the media and offered an update on a burning question among fans: the availability of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.
Bumrah, who suffered a stress fracture in his back during the final Test of the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy — where he tormented the Australian batting lineup — was previously expected to play only three of the five Tests in the current England series due to workload management. This strategy was confirmed by both Gill and former cricketer Gautam Gambhir.
With India trailing 0–1 in the series after a five-wicket defeat at Headingley, questions loom over whether the team can afford to leave out Bumrah again.
“Jasprit Bumrah is available,” Gill confirmed during the pre-match press conference at Edgbaston. “We’re working to find the right combination — one that can take 20 wickets and score runs. We’ll make the final decision after our last look at the pitch today.”
Gill also acknowledged the challenges of not having Bumrah in the lineup.
“It’s tough, but we’re fielding the best players in India,” he said. “Yes, it’s difficult, but not impossible. The players selected have earned their spots through performance, and fortunately, we have a deep talent pool that helps us remain competitive abroad.”
India’s struggles in the first Test weren’t limited to bowling. Poor fielding, particularly in the slips, was a major factor in their loss — despite the historic achievement of scoring five centuries across two innings, a first in Test cricket history for a losing side.
Gill addressed the issue, highlighting how fielding conditions in England can complicate slip catching.
“The ball tends to swing late behind the stumps, and sometimes it’s hard to pick up. We’re aware of the challenges, but we’ve practiced extensively,” he said. “It was a one-off game where we dropped five or six chances, and we’re confident it won’t happen again.”
India will look to bounce back in the second Test starting July 2 at Edgbaston, with Bumrah’s potential inclusion possibly tipping the balance. (Source: IANS)
