Sanjay Manjrekar has strongly called for Jasprit Bumrah’s immediate return to the playing XI as India prepares for the second Test against England at Edgbaston.
After the dramatic collapse in the five-match Test series opener, Sanjay Manjrekar believes that India simply can’t afford to bench their pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for the crucial second Test against England.
The first Test at Headingley was a bitter pill to swallow for India. Despite five centuries and a commanding 371-run lead, the Indian bowlers failed to defend the total and win the match.
England chased down the target with 84 balls to spare and five wickets in hand at Headingley, leaving the Indian camp stunned and the fans frustrated.
Presently, the Indian cricket team is trailing 1-0 in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, and they are going into the second Test under pressure, with the game set to get underway on Wednesday, July 2. However, there is uncertainty over Bumrah’s return to the XI to manage his workload.
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But Manjrekar believes that Jasprit Bumrah must play in the second Test against England, especially after watching the bowling unit falter under pressure at Headingley.
However, Jasprit Bumrah also returned wicketless in the second innings, with the hosts comfortably chasing 350 runs on the final day.
Even though the Indian captain Shubman Gill hinted that Jasprit Bumrah is available for selection and the final call would depend on pitch conditions, the tourists need their best weapon at Edgbaston. The commentator said that the present urgency leaves no room for resting Bumrah.
I don’t think India has a choice: Sanjay Manjrekar
The former Indian batter said that if India wants to level the ongoing five-match Test series and regain momentum, Bumrah’s presence is a must. With the team trailing 0-1 in the series, Manjrekar feels resting Bumrah now makes little sense and that workload discussions can wait.
Sanjay Manjrekar said on ESPNCricinfo, “I mean there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind, and I don’t think India has a choice. He’s got to play. He didn’t bowl as much as one would have thought in the second innings. Plus, he didn’t take to the field towards the end as well".
"Long enough gap, and if he doesn’t play now, you have seen how the bowling attack looks, even with Bumrah in the second innings in the last test. So Bumrah’s got to play."
"And I know he’s not going to play the full series but play this one, and we’ll see what happens in the next because it just doesn’t make sense for him to take a break at this juncture in the series.”
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Sanjay Manjrekar says Jasprit Bumrah must play in Edgbaston, questions rotation strategy
Meanwhile, the cricket expert believes that India has no option but to play Bumrah in the second Test against England. Manjrekar criticized the idea of pre-planned rotation, saying decisions on Bumrah should be taken one Test at a time based on India’s situation.
Manjrekar signed off by saying, “Whatever the talk is, I don’t see him resting in the second Test, and India also knows that he’s got to play in the second Test. And I always believe that instead of making long-term plans, there’s always going to be clarity, absolute clarity, at the end of every Test match. Whether Bumrah should play the next or rest the next.”
'Doesn't make sense to take a break now'Manjrekar on whether Bumrah should play in Birmingham ?️#MatchDay | #EMGvIND pic.twitter.com/sOTPyxbW7v
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) July 2, 2025
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