By News18
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri expressed his disbelief over Jasprit Bumrah鈥檚 absence from the second Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at Edgbaston.
With India trailing 1-0 in the five-match series, Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for this match due to workload management, with Akash Deep replacing him in the playing eleven. At the toss, captain Shubman Gill explained that the Indian management believed Lord鈥檚 would offer conditions more favourable for Bumrah. However, Shastri was not pleased with the decision.
India Vs England: 2nd Test, Day 1 鈥 Live Score
鈥淭his is a very important match, they鈥檝e had a week off. I鈥檓 little surprised Bumrah is not playing this game. It should be taken out of the player鈥檚 hand. It should be the captain and the coaching staff that should decide who should be playing the 11. This is an important game in the context of the series, he should be playing this game more than anything else.鈥
鈥淟ord鈥檚 can come later. This is the important game where you got to counter punch almost straightaway. Play this one. Make it 1-1 and then give him the option: you want to rest at Lord鈥檚, rest at Lord鈥檚. You think he鈥檒l rest at Lord鈥檚? No chance if you win this. If you look at the run, India has had, this becomes a very, very important Test match.鈥
鈥淵ou鈥檝e lost three against New Zealand, you鈥檝e lost three against Australia. You鈥檝e lost the first Test match here and you want to get back to winning ways. You have the best fast bowler in the side, in the world, and you make him sit out after seven days of rest, it鈥檚 something very hard to believe,鈥 said Shastri was quoted as saying Sky Sports鈥 broadcast.
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With Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy included in place of B Sai Sudharsan and Shardul Thakur, the Indian batting line-up is strengthened. However, without Bumrah, India looks considerably different at Edgbaston. Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad also expressed surprise over Bumrah鈥檚 omission.
鈥淎 week is a very good time off for a fast bowler. (Bumrah鈥檚 omission) does surprise me and what also surprised me was him saying before the series he will only play three of the five Tests. You keep those cards close to your chest and play each week as it comes. They will definitely want Bumrah at Lord鈥檚 because of the movement you can get through the air, so can they risk him here?鈥 he said.
(with inputs from IANS)