The second test of the five-match test series is to commence on June 2 at Edgbaston. Before that, Jasprit Bumrah got a very straightforwardmessage from former English cricketer Mark Butcher. The recent reports suggest that Bumrah will be given rest in the second test. Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill had already confirmed that Bumrah will play only 3 tests in the series, and now, as 4 tests are left, there are speculations that he will miss the Edgbaston Test so that his workload can be managed.
In the first test, Bumrah took a five-wicket haul in the first innings, but in the second innings, he could not perform well with his spells, one of the biggest reasons for which was that England easily achieved the target of 371 runs. Now, as Bumrah's workload has to be managed, the team management will have to make a call on which 2 tests Bumrah will be playing.
Former cricketer Butcher believes that while selecting Bumrah for which match to play, that should completely depend on the needs of the team rather than his own choice. In his statement, Butcher said
"Bumrah is going to be a topic of discussion as to whether this is one of his three Test matches or not. I think it has to be; after the six-day break at Headingley, after trailing 1-0, he will play. I know he wants to play at Lord's, but the needs of the team and the series are more important than his desire to play a Test at Lord's."
A day before the second test started, Captain Shubman Gill had said that Bumrah was available for selection, but the decision to play him would be taken after looking at the pitch. Now the biggest question is that if Bumrah does not play, then who will take care of the pace attack in his place?
Meanwhile, Butcher said that the priority should be to bounce back in the series first and then decide whether to rest Bumrah at the end of the series.
He said,
"And who knows, maybe he does well in this match and is fine for Lord's, and then you can finally look for your chances."