India will make a last-minute decision on whether to risk star pacer Jasprit Bumrah in back-to-back Tests, as they aim to bounce back in their five-match series against England with the second Test starting Wednesday at Edgbaston.
Bumrah, currently the world’s top-ranked Test bowler, would typically be an automatic selection—especially after India’s five-wicket defeat in the series opener at Headingley. However, the 30-year-old fast bowler is returning from a back injury and had stated before the tour that he only expected to play in three of the five Tests.
India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirmed Bumrah’s availability but said the team would wait until the last moment to make a final call. “Bumrah is ready to play,” ten Doeschate told reporters on Monday. “It’s how we manage these four remaining Tests. If we feel there’s value in playing him in this Test, we’ll make that call at the very last minute.”
India were left to rue a lack of bowling support for Bumrah in Leeds. While he took 5-83 in the first innings, he went wicketless in the second as England chased down a challenging target of 371 with ease, led by Ben Duckett’s superb 149.
In response to their defeat, India may also consider adjusting the balance of their bowling attack. Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who did not feature at Headingley, is in contention for a recall. Kuldeep has taken 56 wickets in 13 Tests at an average of 22.16.
Batting collapses in both innings cost India dearly in the first Test. After reaching 430-3, they lost their final seven wickets for just 41 runs in the first innings. A second collapse of 6-31 from 333-4 in the second innings left them vulnerable, despite registering five individual centuries—the first such occurrence in over 60,000 first-class matches to end in defeat.
India’s fielding was also under scrutiny. Several straightforward catches went down, including multiple missed chances off Harry Brook, who made a vital 99. Brook was dropped off a no-ball before scoring, and then again on 46 and 82.
Shubman Gill, captaining India in the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, scored a commanding 147 in the first innings. However, questions have emerged over leadership clarity on the field. Former spinner Murali Karthik criticised the on-field confusion. “At one point I felt there were too many captains,” Karthik told Cricbuzz. “KL Rahul was making hand movements, Rishabh Pant was also doing it… There is only one captain.”
Pant and KL Rahul, both century-makers in the match, were often seen directing field settings, blurring the lines of authority.
England, meanwhile, announced an unchanged XI for the Edgbaston Test following their record-breaking run chase in Leeds—the 10th highest successful fourth-innings chase in Test history. Jamie Smith, who struck the winning six to remain unbeaten on 44, said: “The really important thing is for the team to be quite ruthless and once you’re on top, try to put them to bed.”
Despite some lack of penetration with the new ball in the first innings at Headingley, England’s bowling improved over the course of the match. They resisted the temptation to recall Jofra Archer, who was named in the squad but has not played a Test in four years due to injuries.
Instead, veteran all-rounder Chris Woakes will lead the attack in the absence of retired legends James Anderson and Stuart Broad. The 36-year-old, with 182 wickets in 58 Tests, is relishing the responsibility on his home ground at Warwickshire.
“I played a lot of my England games with Jimmy and Broady so it is different not having them around,” said Woakes. “But also it’s a great opportunity for myself. I’ve enjoyed that role so far and it’s good to pass on some knowledge to the younger guys that haven’t played as much Test cricket.”