IND vs ENG / How will it be decided whether Bumrah will play or not? Shubman Gill revealed

IND vs ENG: The second match of the five-Test series between India and England is going to start from July 2, 2025 at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham. England have taken a 1-0 lead in the series by registering a spectacular win in the first Test. The host team is full of confidence, while the Indian team is desperate to make a comeback in this match. After the defeat in the first Test, questions were raised on the selection of the Indian playing XI, and now even before the second Test, discussions are in full swing regarding the team combination. There is uncertainty especially about the participation of fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.

Bumrah's playing depends on the pitch

Indian captain Shubman Gill told in the pre-match press conference that Jasprit Bumrah is available for selection, but keeping in mind his workload, the final decision will be taken after seeing the condition of the pitch. Gill said,

"Our effort is to prepare such a balanced combination that can take 20 wickets according to the demand of the pitch and also score runs when needed. It is important to take care of Bumrah's fitness and workload."

If Bumrah does not play in this match, then the responsibility of fast bowling will be on the shoulders of Mohammad Siraj, Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna. These three bowlers will be ready to stop England's strong batting order and take wickets.

Pressure on Jadeja too

Despite getting turn on the fifth day on the Headingley pitch in the first Test, Ravindra Jadeja could not make any special impact. Now his role will be important in Birmingham. The Indian team management expects a better performance from him, especially if the pitch proves to be helpful for spinners. Jadeja's all-round ability will also be monitored, because both his batting and bowling give balance to the team.

Birmingham pitch and strategy

The Edgbaston pitch is usually helpful for fast bowlers in the beginning, but as the match progresses, it can get better for batting. The focus of the Indian team will be on preparing a playing XI that is the right mix of both fast bowling and spin. If the pitch gets extra bounce and pace, then India may consider including an additional fast bowler. On the other hand, if the pitch turns, then the pair of Ravichandran Ashwin and Jadeja can play an important role.

What does the situation of the series say?

England defeated India with a brilliant performance in the first Test. Joe Root and Ben Stokes played an important role in England's batting, while James Anderson and Chris Woakes troubled the Indian batsmen in their bowling. On the other hand, India's batting was weak in the first Test, and now batsmen like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma will be expected to perform better.

Eyes on these players

• Jasprit Bumrah: If he plays, his swing and yorker can create problems for the English batsmen.
• Shubman Gill: As captain, his strategy and batting will be under scrutiny.
• Ravindra Jadeja: Important for all-round performance.
• Joe Root (England): Root is in form after scoring a century in the first Test and can be a threat to India.