Former South African pacer Dale Steyn has criticised the Indian team management for resting star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah in the second Test against England at Edgbaston. Bumrah, who was instrumental in the first Test, was replaced by Akash Deep as part of three changes made by India ahead of the match.
Steyn took to social media to voice his disapproval, likening the decision to Portugal choosing to bench football legend Cristiano Ronaldo. He tweeted: “So Portugal have the best striker in the world in Ronaldo and they chose not to play him. That’s madness. That’s like India having Bumrah and choosing not to play, umm, him… wait, oh, no, what! shit I’mconfused.”
So Portugal have the best striker in the world in Ronaldo and they chose not to play him.
Thats madness.
That’s like India having Bumrah and choosing not to play, umm, him… wait, oh, no, what! shit I’m confused 😵💫
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) July 2, 2025
“Just to Manage His Workload” – Gill on Bumrah’s Absence
While India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir had already stated that Bumrah would play only three Tests in the five-match series to manage his workload, the decision to leave him out in Edgbaston has sparked debate. The call was reportedly based on medical advice from BCCI’s doctors, and was confirmed by chief selector Ajit Agarkar in May.
Bumrah was India’s best performer with the ball in the opening Test at Headingley, picking up five wickets and consistently troubling the English batters. Despite that, the team opted to rest him in the second Test — a decision that hasn’t sat well with many experts and fans, especially with India trailing 0-1 in the series.
At the toss, India captain Shubman Gill defended the team’s move, saying: “Just to manage his workload. We did get a good break and this is an important match for us. But the third Test being at Lord’s, we think there’ll be more in that pitch so we’ll use him there.”
Despite the absence of their pace spearhead, India finished Day 1 on a high. Led by Shubman Gill’s second consecutive Test century and supported by Ravindra Jadeja, India ended the day at 310 for 5 — setting a solid platform in the ongoing match.
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