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Jasprit Bumrah is widely regarded as the backbone of India’s bowling attack, an unorthodox genius capable of destroying batting line-ups with pace, accuracy, and unmatched variations.
However, his surprise exclusion from India’s playing XI for the second Test against England at Edgbaston has sparked outrage, with former South African speedster Dale Steyn leading the criticism.
Steyn’s Outburst: “Like Benching Ronaldo”
Reacting to India’s decision, Steyn took to Twitter and expressed his disbelief with a football analogy. He wrote:
“So Portugal have the best striker in the world in Ronaldo and they choose 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’m confused.”
His comments were aimed at the Indian team management, captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir, who opted to replace Bumrah with Akash Deep, one of the three changes made for the match.
Also Read: Shubman Gill answers critics in style with back-to-back hundreds in England
Strategic Rest or a Gamble?
While reports suggest Bumrah was rested to manage his workload amid a packed calendar, critics argue that such a move in a high-stakes series could backfire. The Edgbaston pitch, offering assistance to pacers, would have suited Bumrah’s skillset perfectly.
Bumrah’s Value Cannot Be Overstated
Bumrah’s presence brings confidence and control to the bowling unit which was seen during Headingly test where he picked up a fifer. With India already missing key players due to injuries, his absence has left fans and experts questioning the team’s tactics.
A Risk India Might Regret?
As India aim to extend their lead in the five-match series, all eyes will now be on how the bowling attack performs without its ace. If things don’t go India’s way, the decision to rest Bumrah could dominate post-match discussions.
