Less than 24 hours before the start of the second Test between India and England at Edgbaston for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, the Jasprit Bumrah situation remains unclear. Although the India pacer, who grabbed five wickets in the opening innings of the Leeds Test, was always a doubt for the second Test, the fact that he participated in two of India's three practice sessions, including the one on the eve of the Birmingham game, sends out mixed signals. Not playing Bumrah might be disastrous, though, as the 2nd Test of the series is just eight days away. If India had won Leeds, the choice may have been much simpler. Is it fair for India to fall 2-0 behind and then reinstate Bumrah for the Lord's Test? It's a major if.

Before arriving in England, did the Indian team management decide which Tests Jasprit Bumrah would play and which he would miss? Since the grey area may begin here. According to India head coach Gautam Gambhir, they will keep an eye on his workload, but making a hasty choice may not be the best course of action for Team India. The first Test was lost by India, and emotions may be involved. The Indian think tank is now facing the issues of "Should we play him? Should we not? Can we afford to go 0-2 down?"

During the first test match between Australia and the West Indies last week, a surprising truth became evident despite all the hype about workload management. Since 2024, Bumrah has bowled the most overs in Test cricket. Mitchell Starc is second with 362.3 overs after he has bowled 410.4 overs. Mohammed Siraj has bowled 355.3 overs, Gus Atkinson has bowled 328 overs, and Pat Cummins has bowled 359.1 overs. Where is the administration?

They are therefore in charge of his workload. However, on the LiSTNR Sport podcast, former Australian captain Alyssa Healy questioned whether you saw that figure appear. "Since 2024, he has bowled the most overs in Test cricket than any pace," she said.

"He's already had that operation. And he's still running into problems. That's concerning as a human. He has a young family and a life to live, and if you can't participate in everyday activities. You've lost him forever if you undo that procedure by breaking him again. That is where his workload is truly significant. At the SCG, you saw him leave. He was aware of it. Even though he was bowling well, he could tell that his back was done for. I just have the impression that they're going to play him—they need to win this game and regain some momentum. However, the more important question is who you surround him with in order to complement him so that he doesn't have to do all the labor.

Why does Healy make sense?

Healy makes an astounding argument. Yes, Bumrah is crucial. However, is the risk worth taking? India's Test season will be lengthy, with series played both at home and abroad. Furthermore, Bumrah is a crucial component of India's T20 World Cup defense the following year and the World Cup 2027. As Healy noted, Bumrah had back surgery in 2022, which kept him sidelined for more than a year. He was a monster when he got back, with a bowling game that was superior to anything he had ever seen. However, Bumrah is not indestructible, despite having surgery, as evidenced by the back ailment he sustained in Australia. Therefore, their greatest hope is to protect him.

Due to the characteristics of the field, Bumrah runs the danger of suffering another injury if he participates in the Edgbaston Test, which, like the previous tests, may potentially last for five days. Bumrah will either miss the Lord's Test, which no sane player would want to miss, or the one that begins tomorrow. It's impossible that he's playing both this and the following one.

Read Also: Jasprit Bumrah Uncertainty Prompts India, Led by Shubman Gill, to Consider Playing for a Draw at Edgbaston

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