Akash Deep replaces rested Jasprit Bumrah for second Test

William Dobbie Updated: 02 Jul 25 11:40

India have replaced Jasprit Bumrah with Akash Deep for India's second Test match against England at Edgbaston.

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After a narrow defeat in the first Test at Headingley, many would have expected Indian ace Bumrah to lead the Indian bowling attack for the second Test but it will be Akash Deep who gets the nod in Birmingham.

Concerns over Bumrah's workload are not a new thing with the 31-year-old suffering with injuries in the past, but with a clean bill of health heading into Wednesday, his inclusion was anticipated.

When asked about the bowler's exclusion from the side, India captain Shubman Gill was keen to keep one eye on the future.

“It is just to manage his workload. We did get a good break and this is an important match for us. But with the third Test being at Lord’s, we think there’ll be more in that pitch so we’ll use him there,” said Gill.

It is a decision that has not gone down overly well with former India head coach Ravi Shastri who has torn into India's management team for omitting Bumrah.

“This is a very important match, they’ve had a week off. I’m a little surprised Bumrah is not playing this game. It should be taken out of the player’s hands," said Shastri.

It should be the captain and the head coach that should decide who should be playing the 11.

Bumrah was the pick of the Indian attack in Leeds as he picked up his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket during the first innings.

"You have the best fast bowler in the world, and you make him sit out after seven days of rest, it’s something very hard to believe," Shastri continued.

Akash Deep is the man who will replace him and is a very capable operator himself, despite his relative inexperience at Test level.

The 28-year-old has taken 15 wickets across the seven matches he has played so far at an average of 35.20.