Bumrah Likely to Be Rested for 2nd Test Against England Despite India's Struggles

As India look to bounce back in the second Test against England at Edgbaston, they may have to do it without their biggest match-winner with the ball. Jasprit Bumrah, who was the standout performer in the series opener at Headingley, is expected to be rested—a decision that's already raising eyebrows among fans.

Despite a full week’s break between the two matches, the team management seems set on resting Bumrah, who is returning to Test cricket this year after a lengthy injury layoff. Ahead of the series, the plan was clear: Bumrah wouldn’t play all five Tests. But that strategy now seems up for debate after India’s underwhelming bowling display in Leeds, where Bumrah’s brilliance only highlighted how much the rest of the attack is struggling.

In the first Test, Bumrah shouldered the burden almost alone. His first-innings five-wicket haul was a rare bright spot in a bowling performance that lacked consistency and cutting edge. With India now trailing in the series and their pace unit looking increasingly toothless, resting Bumrah at such a crucial juncture has left fans wondering if the team can afford to play it this safe.

That said, the numbers paint a clear picture: Bumrah has been heavily overworked. Since the start of 2024, no fast bowler in the world has bowled more overs in Tests than him—410.4 to be exact. Australia’s Mitchell Starc, who comes in second, trails by nearly 50 overs. Among Indian bowlers, Mohammed Siraj has bowled the next highest number of overs at 355.3, yet Bumrah leads the wicket tally by a mile with 78 scalps. England’s Gus Atkinson, who has bowled fewer overs than both Bumrah and Siraj, sits second in the global wicket tally with 55.

Even among all Indian bowlers—pace or spin—Bumrah tops the chart. The only one even close is Ravindra Jadeja, who has bowled 400.1 overs this year.

So while fans are right to be frustrated, the decision isn’t without merit. Bumrah has a history of back issues, and with a packed calendar ahead—including the rest of this Test series and major tournaments later this year—India’s think tank seems to be prioritizing long-term fitness over short-term results.

Still, it’s a big gamble. Without Bumrah, the attack that failed to make much of an impact in Leeds—Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Shardul Thakur—will be under even more pressure. India may hand a debut to left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, making Siraj the most experienced seamer in the XI.

The question remains: can India afford to rest their most lethal bowler when the series is on the line? Only time will tell if the caution pays off—or proves costly.