Former England cricketer Mark Butcher has come out in shock over the fact that Jasprit Bumrah might be rested for the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Edgbaston on Wednesday. With India lagging 0-1 in the series following their loss at Headingley, Butcher feels that Bumrah’s inclusion is absolutely critical.
Talking on the Wisden Cricket Weekly Podcast, Butcher opined the needs of the team have to come first despite any personal inclinations, even if Bumrah is looking at a comeback for the third Test at Lord’s next week.
Bumrah’s availability will be the big talking point. For me, he has to play this Test. India lost the first game, there has been a six-day break time to get back out there,” Butcher said. “I know that he may want to play at Lord’s, but that is not the priority at the moment. The team and the series are first.
Butcher also said there’s always a possibility that Bumrah might pass through the second Test unscathed and remain available for Lord’s, but it’s a risk worth taking given what’s at stake
Bumrah Shone at Leeds While Others Struggled
In the opening match of the series in Headingley, Bumrah was a class apart. He grabbed a masterful five-wicket haul in the first innings while his pace colleagues were roughed up by England’s aggressive batsmen. Even though he remained wicketless in the second innings, his pace colleague Prasidh Krishna had an abysmal outing, ending with 5 for 224 and an economy rate of 6.40—the poorest ever for any pacer who’ve given away so many runs in a Test match.
Time for a Change: Butcher Demands Arshdeep or Kuldeep
Ahead of the second Test, Butcher claimed it is time that India reconsiders their bowling unit. He noted that a player like Arshdeep Singh or Kuldeep Yadav could provide much-needed variation—be it left-arm swing or spin.
If you are selecting a team to disturb England’s attacking batsmen, you don’t select workmanlike 80s seamers. That is what they want to face,” Butcher explained. “They will have much more trouble facing a left-arm spinner, and India possess that avenue in Kuldeep.”
He also tipped Arshdeep to be an astute replacement for Prasidh Krishna, who was “found wanting” in the opening Test.
If possible, I’d choose Siraj, Bumrah, Arshdeep, Kuldeep, and Jadeja. And you just go with what comes as far as batting is concerned. I said this in the first match Shardul Thakur’s batting does not compensate for what he is lacking with the ball.”
India are set to look to recover in this high-pressure second Test, and Butcher’s words reinforce what might be a significant selection conundrum and one that might ultimately determine the series.
