India rested their star seamer, Jasprit Bumrah, in the second Test, which began on Wednesday, July 2, at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Ravi Shastri was one of the first ex-cricketers to criticise Gautam Gambhir and Co.
After the toss, former India head coach Shastri couldn’t understand why India rested their greatest fast bowler, Bumrah, even though there was a seven-day break before the second Test.
“After seven days of rest, you bench the world’s best fast bowler. That’s hard to believe,” Shastri told Sky Sports.
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When the match’s opening ball was about to be bowled, the former India all-rounder and former England captain Michael Atherton were joining the commentary team.
During commentary, Atherton stated, “It seems like a really odd choice to me, Ravi.” When Shastri took the mic, he was unreserved in his criticism of the Indian head coach and captain. “Bumrah should have played if he was fit,” he said.
It’s really weird and confusing, in my opinion. “He should play if he’s fit to do so,” a furious Shastri stated during a live broadcast.
“The head coach, the coaching staff, and the captain should have complete control over that choice. Not the head coach, captain, or coaching staff. Additionally, as you indicated, this is a crucial test match that India must win because there is a week between them. You need to have your best fast bowler playing if they want to survive the series. And without a doubt, he ought to have been playing,” Shastri remarked.
India make three changes in Edgbaston Test
Bumrah has been replaced by Bengal seamer Akash Deep. Meanwhile, Shardul Thakur and Sai Sudharsan have made way for Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar.
England, on the other hand, announced their lineup on Monday, June 30. They have stuck to the same playing XI that helped them win the first Test at Headingley by five wickets.
