Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has lamented Jasprit Bumrah for opting out of the second Test against England, which started at Edgbaston on Wednesday.“I think I am a little surprised. This is a very important match. He had a week off. I am surprised that Bumrah is not playing this game,” Shastri said on Sky Sports.Ravi Shastri also mentioned that it should be the call of the captain and coach, not the player.“I think it should be taken out of the player’s hands. It should be the call of the captain and coaching staff. They should decide who should be playing in the XI,” he said.“This is an important game in the context of this series. He should be playing this game. Lord’s can come later. This is an important game where you need to counter-punch straight away,” he added.Shastri explained the reasoning behind the inclusion of Nitish Kumar Reddy in the playing XI, but at the same time, he felt bad for wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who had to sit out.“Nitish Reddy was expected in these conditions. It’s overcast, and again it was going to be between Kuldeep and Washington,” he said.“I am a little surprised Sai Sudharsan was dropped. It’s harsh. I think he played really well in that Test match. And Kuldeep Yadav, the guy has to wait. Poor chap!”
India was made to bat first on a batting-friendly Edgbaston pitch after the toss was won by England, which has an unchanged lineup. India captain Shubman Gill said he also would have bowled first.England’s decision means it will chase again in the fourth innings. It hunted down 371 in Leeds to win by five wickets and chased down 378 against India on the same ground in 2022.India has never beaten England at Edgbaston in eight previous Tests going back to 1967.
