India‘s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has provided clarity on Jasprit Bumrah‘s availability for the second Test against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham, scheduled from July 2 to July 6, 2025. The update comes after a week of speculation that India’s pace spearhead may be rested due to workload management, despite being in top form.
India’s assistant coach provides clarity on Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness status
After India’s five-wicket defeat in the series opener at Headingley, several reports had suggested that Bumrah, who bowled a staggering 43.4 overs across two innings, might be rested for the second Test in line with India’s broader strategy of managing his workload across the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. However, assistant coach ten Doeschate confirmed that Bumrah is fully fit, having trained over the last two days at Edgbaston, and remains technically available for selection.
“He’s available for the game, obviously. We know from the start he’s only going to play three out of the five. He’s obviously had eight days to recover from the last test. But given conditions, workload, and how we think we can best manage for the next four games, we haven’t made a call on that,” ten Doeschate said.
Importantly, Doeschate emphasized that it’s not an injury concern, but a tactical decision the team management wants to make carefully to optimize Bumrah’s impact over the course of the remaining four games. He stated that Bumrah has been training and is in good physical shape, but the management is also considering pitch conditions, team balance, and the long-term campaign strategy. Doeschate hinted at the deliberate rotation policy, reiterating the decision made by head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar that Bumrah will only play in three Tests this series.
“It’s not like he’s not fit to play. It’s just trying to fit those puzzle pieces to get the most out of him. We’re going to see what the other guys are with their workload as well… if we feel like there’s value in playing him in this Test, we’ll make that call at the very last minute,” ten Doeschate concluded.
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Jasprit Bumrah’s impact in the 1st Test for India for England
Bumrah was the standout performer for India in the first Test at Headingley. His exceptional first-innings spell, a five-wicket haul (5/140) in 24.4 overs, helped India gain a narrow six-run lead. Though he went wicketless in the second innings, he remained economical, conceding just 57 runs in 19 overs, even as England chased down a formidable target of 371.
Without Bumrah, India’s pace attack lacked bite in the first Test. Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj both struggled to maintain pressure. Krishna returned figures of 3/128 and 2/92, while Siraj managed only 2/122 across both innings and failed to make an impact in the second. If Bumrah is rested, replacements like Akash Deep or Arshdeep Singh could be drafted in, although neither brings the same level of experience or match-winning threat as Bumrah.
While Bumrah’s fitness is not in question, his inclusion in the playing XI for the second Test is still not confirmed. The decision will ultimately come down to a balance between present need and long-term series strategy. With India trailing 0-1 in the five-Test series, his presence could prove crucial to levelling the scoreline at Edgbaston.
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