The India Playing XI 2nd Test against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham (July 2-6) will feature a significant change, with India’s spearhead Jasprit Bumrah set to miss the match as part of his workload management. This absence, widely reported by Indian media and corroborated by earlier statements from team management, poses a considerable challenge for Shubman Gill & Co., especially at a venue where India has historically struggled, having never won a Test match in eight attempts (7 losses, 1 draw).
Bumrah, currently ranked first among ICC Test bowlers, was India’s most impactful bowler in the first Test at Headingley. He bowled 24.4 overs in the first innings, picking up an impressive five wickets for 83 runs. Although he remained wicketless in the second innings, his tight lines ensured he didn’t concede many runs, making life difficult for English batters in a match India ultimately lost by five wickets. His ability to consistently extract uncomfortable bounce and seam movement makes him virtually irreplaceable, and his absence will undoubtedly be a big setback for India’s hopes of leveling the series.
Pace Options Without Bumrah
With Bumrah sidelined, the onus falls on the remaining pacers to step up. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, who both played in the series opener, will be key. Siraj picked up 2 wickets in the first innings and went wicketless in the second (total 2/173 in 41 overs across both innings). Krishna, who surprisingly won the Purple Cap in IPL 2025 with 25 wickets, took 5 wickets (3+2) in the Headingley Test. However, his economy rate was a concern, conceding runs at over six an over in both innings. Despite this, he is expected to retain his place due to the lack of other readily available options in Bumrah’s absence.
The crucial decision for the India Playing XI 2nd Test will be who comes in to replace Bumrah. Two main contenders are Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh.
- Akash Deep: Since making his Test debut for India against England in Ranchi in February 2024, Akash Deep has played seven Tests, picking up 15 wickets at an average of 35.20. He has shown glimpses of promise, including a 3-wicket haul on debut.
- Arshdeep Singh: The left-arm pacer is yet to make his red-ball debut for Team India, but he has achieved significant success for India in white-ball cricket. He is India’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is (99 wickets in 63 games) and has impressed with his bowling performances in ODIs (14 wickets in 9 games at 23.00). His left-arm angle could provide a valuable variation.
Given England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach, a bowler who can offer control as well as wicket-taking ability will be essential. While Akash Deep has Test experience, Arshdeep’s white-ball success and left-arm variation might make him an appealing choice for the team management, especially in English conditions known to aid swing.
The Kuldeep Yadav Factor
Another significant consideration for the India Playing XI 2nd Test is the potential inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav in place of Shardul Thakur. Shardul, picked as a bowling all-rounder, had a limited impact in the first Test, bowling only six overs in the first innings and 10 in the second, and failing with the bat in both innings. India might prioritize a specialist bowler over a batting all-rounder in Birmingham, particularly if the pitch is expected to assist spin as the match progresses.
Kuldeep Yadav, a wrist-spinner, could add a new dimension to India’s attack, providing wicket-taking options in the middle overs. While Nitish Kumar Reddy is another all-rounder option who could replace Shardul, the strong performance of India’s top batters in the Leeds Test (five individual centuries) suggests the batting unit is solid, making a specialist bowler a more logical choice to bolster the attack.
It is highly unlikely that the Indian team management will make any changes to the batting unit, which performed well despite the eventual loss.
India’s strongest probable XI for 2nd England Test without Jasprit Bumrah
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- B Sai Sudharsan
- Shubman Gill (C)
- Rishabh Pant (WK)
- Karun Nair
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Kuldeep Yadav (in place of Shardul Thakur)
- Akash Deep / Arshdeep Singh (in place of Jasprit Bumrah)
- Prasidh Krishna
- Mohammed Siraj
The challenge for India at Edgbaston, a venue where they have historically struggled, is immense. Without their premier pacer, the remaining bowlers will need to step up significantly to contain England’s aggressive batting and provide the breakthroughs necessary to level the series. The choices made for the India Playing XI 2nd Test will be under intense scrutiny.
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