Will Bumrah Play 2nd Test? Ajit Agarkar and Shubman Gill to Influence Crucial Call, deets Inside

With Jasprit Bumrah slated for only three Tests this England tour, selectors and team management weigh Edgbaston vs Lord’s dilemma ahead of the 2nd Test.

London, June 27, 2025 — The biggest question looming over the Indian camp ahead of the second Test at Edgbaston is: Will Jasprit Bumrah play? With the series delicately poised after India’s dramatic defeat in the opener at Leeds, the decision over India’s pace spearhead could shape the rest of the tour.

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Bumrah, who bowled 44.4 overs and claimed a five-wicket haul in the first innings, remains India’s most potent threat with the ball. However, his workload management plan allows for only three appearances in the five-Test series, and the second Test is hanging in the balance for him.

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed that there will be no deviation from the pre-tour plan. “We won’t change the plans… For us, managing his workload is more important because there’s a lot of cricket going forward,” he said.

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Agarkar-Gambhir-Gill Factor

According to a BCCI source, a final decision will rest with chief selector Ajit Agarkar, head coach Gambhir, and Test captain Shubman Gill. Bumrah will likely be assessed a day before the Edgbaston Test, which starts on July 2, with the management closely monitoring his recovery post the first Test that concluded on June 24.

Adding to the complexity, the third Test at Lord’s begins just three days after the second, making it almost impossible for Bumrah to feature in both. This forces the think tank to choose where his presence would be more impactful.

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What Experts Say

Former India selector MSK Prasad weighed in: “That is a tough call. He should ideally play when the series is alive, but the management knows best how to manage his workload.”

Had India won the first Test, the equation would have been simpler. Instead, trailing 0-1, the team must now gamble carefully with Bumrah’s limited availability, especially when the rest of the bowling attack struggled to consistently trouble English batters.

Strategic Puzzle Ahead

Bumrah’s absence would leave a significant void in the pace unit. If he is rested for the second Test, India might risk going 0-2 down before his return. But if he plays and isn’t available for the crucial third Test at Lord’s, the team could again find itself exposed.

With Shubman Gill’s first series as captain and a hungry England side aiming for a series win at home, the decision is as much about cricketing strategy as it is about managing India’s most prized bowling asset.

As of now, the balance tips toward caution — but the next few days could still alter that.

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