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India's premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is officially fit and available for selection ahead of the second Test against England, scheduled to begin on July 2 at Edgbaston. But as the team management continues to consider the advantages and disadvantages of using him in what is anticipated to be a spin-friendly and rain-affected match, his inclusion in the starting lineup is still up in the air.
Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate clarified that while Bumrah is ready to play, his participation is subject to strategic planning around his workload. With the management committed to using him in only three of the five Tests, India faces the challenge of choosing which matches offer the most value from their pace spearhead. "We know from the start he's only going to play three out of five," said ten Doeschate, hinting at a last-minute decision based on pitch conditions and weather forecasts.
The Edgbaston pitch poses a special conundrum. The surface is said to be dry beneath the 11–12 mm grassy layer, which is typically favorable for spinners. With rain predicted on three of the five match days, the team could lean toward preserving Bumrah for more bowling-friendly venues like Lord's or The Oval. These external factors could see India opting for a bowling attack with more spin and possibly resting Bumrah for now.
Akash Deep or Arshdeep Could Step In: If Bumrah is held back, Akash Deep appears the frontrunner to replace him, thanks to his recent red-ball form. Additionally, Arshdeep Singh's left-arm angle and ball-swinging skills keep him in the game. Both have impressed in training sessions, and one of them may be handed a debut in this crucial encounter.
India's strategy will also depend heavily on maintaining batting depth. There's a strong possibility that offspin allrounder Washington Sundar could be included to lengthen the batting order while still providing a spin option. The management is carefully trying to balance attacking firepower with stability in the middle order, which could impact Bumrah's inclusion.
England captain Ben Stokes brushed off concerns about Bumrah's potential absence, stating, "India's problem to deal with." England have named an unchanged XI for the second Test, with Jofra Archer unavailable due to a family emergency.
The Indian management is silent as supporters and analysts discuss Bumrah's possible comeback. A final decision will be made closer to the toss, although Bumrah has been training and is not exhibiting any symptoms of pain. His availability could tilt the balance of the series — and India must decide whether to go all-in now or hold their trump card for later.
