India’s decision to leave out ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah and spinner Kuldeep Yadav from the second Test against England at Edgbaston has sparked widespread criticism, with fans and analysts questioning the reasoning behind the changes.
India entered the Edgbaston Test trailing 0-1 in the five-match series, hoping to turn things around. However, the announcement of the playing XI, which lacked Bumrah and Kuldeep, drew widespread notice. Skipper Shubman Gill confirmed three changes, adding all-rounders Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Akash Deep while dropping Sai Sudharsan, Shardul Thakur, and Bumrah.
Meanwhile, England captain Ben Stokes properly called the toss and chose to bowl first. The hosts made the best of the cloudy circumstances by removing KL Rahul in the early session, thanks to Chris Woakes.
Bumrah, fresh off a five-wicket haul in Leeds, was rested by the management, with Gill noting that the decision was made to save him for the Lords Test.
However, many others, including former coach Ravi Shastri, believed this was the incorrect move.
“This is a crucial match; they’ve had a week off. I’m amazed that Bumrah isn’t playing this game. It should be taken from the player’s hand. The captain and coaching staff should make the decision on who should play 11. This is an essential game in the context of the series, and he should play it more than anything else. Lord’s can arrive later. This is an important game where you can counter punch practically immediately.
Play this one. Make it 1-1 and offer him the choice of resting at Lord’s. Do you suppose he will rest at Lord’s? “You have no chance of winning this,” he declared on air.
The other major point of contention was Kuldeep Yadav’s exclusion. The left-arm wrist-spinner was expected to play after India’s bowling attack failed to trouble England in Leeds. Yet, Gill explained they chose Washington Sundar over Kuldeep due to his batting abilities, providing depth in the lower order after tailenders contributed just nine runs combined in the first Test. The trio of Gambhir, Gill, and the team management has received immense criticism for their selection choices.
Check out how X reacted to India’s playing XI for the second Test against England at Edgbaston:
If Bumrah was fit to play then surely you need to pick the best bowler in the world? At the very least Kuldeep has the be in the XI if you’re worried about taking 20 wickets. Yes, he might be more expensive but he’s the next best attacking option!
— Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) July 2, 2025
Sai scored a crucial 30 and was involved in an important partnership in the second innings. dropping an youngster high on confidence doesn’t feel right #ENGvIND
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) July 2, 2025
What do you make of the Indian XI for this second test match? Sai Sudharsan is very stiff to miss out after only 1 test…
— Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) July 2, 2025
No way a big player like Bumrah would only agree to play just 3 Tests in a 5-match marquee series. It’s very weird how this workload thing comes into the picture for an overseas Test series, like has anyone asked his personal thoughts? I don’t think he will be happy sitting out.
— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) July 2, 2025
Arshdeep Singh could’ve been better option in place of Akashdeep. I thought Kuldeep Yadav would make place in playing 11 but they picked Washington Sundar over him just because of his all-round abilities but Kuldeep is not bad too. He can also bat & already played some handy ings
— nikki rockz (@nikkirockz) July 2, 2025
Dropping Sai Sudharsan after just one game—especially when it’s a debut or a return after a long break—feels harsh.
Every player deserves at least 2 to 3 consistent chances to settle in and prove themselves.
A single game should never define a career.#SaiSudharsan… pic.twitter.com/CTrkpKeQox
— MR . AK (@anandhumanoj666) July 2, 2025
Kuldeep Yadav & 20 wickets should be the priority for Team India not the batting depth at 8 or 9.
— Manoj Dimri (@manoj_dimri) July 2, 2025
Captain Gill’s decision makes no sense, choosing ineffective Prasidh Krishna over a proven game-changer like Arshdeep Singh is a blunder. pic.twitter.com/oCh7aSd0CV
— NiiVK (@Niiki099) July 2, 2025
Arshdeep Singh would have made more sense as a replacement for Bumrah. Siraj, Krishna, and Akash Deep all have a similar bowling style. Arshdeep would have added the variety that India desperately needs in the bowling department.
— sayooj (@sayo_oj) July 2, 2025
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