Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad attributed the 31-year-old's "surprising" behavior before the start of the series to the growing criticism of the Indian team management's decision to bench Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test match against England in Birmingham.

At the time of the Test squad announcement for the England tour, BCCI head selector Ajit Agarkar verified that Bumrah will only participate in three of the five Test matches in the series in order to balance his workload. Earlier this year, while touring Australia, the quick bowler suffered back spasms that prevented him from participating in the Champions Trophy.

Later, in a Sky Sports interview with Dinesh Karthik just before the start of the Test series, Bumrah stated that he first contacted the BCCI to address his workload management when he realized he was being considered for the captaincy.

Since I won't be able to devote my whole attention to it in the upcoming five-Test match series, I told the BCCI that I don't want to be considered for a leadership position. The BCCI was therefore considering me for leadership positions, yes. "However, I had to turn it down," he said.

Bumrah's remark was broadly outlined, with the caveat that he should not have shared his intention to play just three Test games in England with the public.

Broad told Sky Cricket that while it was "surprising" that India chose to rest Bumrah at Edgbaston following his performance in Leeds, what he found more perplexing was the fast bowler's choice to disclose his strategy, which he thought should have been kept a secret.

After Bumrah, 31, was replaced by Akash Deep in the playing XI, he said, "A week is a very good time off for a fast bowler. What does surprise me is his omission and what also surprised me was him saying before the series he will only play three of the five Tests."

"Keep those cards near to your chest and play each week as it comes. "They will absolutely want Bumrah at Lord's because of the movement you can get through the air."

In the pre-match press conference held earlier on Tuesday, India captain Shubman Gill stated that Bumrah, who grabbed five wickets in the opening Test, was eligible for selection. But in order to preserve him for the third test at the Lord's, India chose to give him a break in Birmingham.

"Only to handle his workload. This is a crucial game for us, and we did have a nice break. However, since the third test will be at Lord's, we anticipate that there will be more in that surface, so we will utilize him there, Gill said after losing the toss.

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