Can India win Edgbaston Test without Jasprit Bumrah?
India’s decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test at Edgbaston has raised eyebrows across the cricketing community. The ace pacer, who spearheaded India’s attack in recent times, made way for Akash Deep as part of the team’s workload management strategy.
Why Was Bumrah Rested?
The 31-year-old has been carefully managed by the Indian team management after suffering a serious back injury in early 2024. With a grueling five-match Test series in England underway, the think tank had already mapped out a plan — Bumrah would play only three of the five Tests. Given the importance of long-term fitness and avoiding recurrence of his injury, Edgbaston became the logical choice to give him a breather.
Can India Succeed Without Bumrah?
It’s a daunting question, but not an impossible task. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate addressed the media ahead of the game and said India can level the series or hold the scoreline even without Bumrah’s services. He stressed the need for the rest of the bowling unit to step up and not depend on one man.
“We came pretty close without Jasprit in the second half [at Leeds]. He didn’t get any wickets,” Doeschate said. “You can’t win the Test series with just one bowler in any case.”
India’s bowling did falter in the fourth innings of the first Test at Headingley, allowing England to chase down 371. With Bumrah out, the pressure now shifts onto Mohammed Siraj to lead from the front and guide young pacers like Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna.
Team Changes: A Shift in Balance?
India made three notable changes for the Edgbaston Test:
- Jasprit Bumrah replaced by Akash Deep
- Sai Sudharsan replaced by Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Shardul Thakur replaced by Washington Sundar
Kuldeep Yadav, despite Edgbaston historically aiding spin, didn’t make the cut. The inclusion of two seam-bowling all-rounders—Reddy and Sundar—suggests India is banking on batting depth and a mix of pace options to counter England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach.
India’s XI for 2nd Test:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Karun Nair
- Shubman Gill (C)
- Rishabh Pant (WK)
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Washington Sundar
- Akash Deep
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
Verdict: A Big Test for the New-Look Attack
Without Bumrah, India lacks an obvious strike bowler who can deliver breakthroughs under pressure. However, the team still has depth — Siraj’s experience, Krishna’s pace, and the utility of Sundar and Jadeja can combine well if executed properly.
Much will depend on India’s batting lineup providing a solid total, as they did in the first innings at Headingley. If the bowlers can maintain tighter lines and support one another, India certainly has the firepower to win at Edgbaston — even without their bowling spearhead.
In short, winning without Bumrah won’t be easy — but it’s definitely possible.
