Gautam Gambhir, Shubman Gill Pull Off Big Surprise, Report names Likely Jasprit Bumrah-Replacement

India’s playing XI, especially the fast bowlers, is poised to see alterations for the upcoming second Test against England at Edgbaston. The primary reason for this is that pace leader Jasprit Bumrah is nearly excluded from the XI, with management apparently choosing this as one of the Tests where he will be rested for workload management. A surprising candidate has reportedly come forward to take Bumrah’s place in India’s playing XI for the second Test. According to several journalists at Edgbaston, 28-year-old right-arm bowler Akash Deep is poised to fill Bumrah’s position in the team.

According to reports, Akash Deep played a significant role in India’s practice session on Monday, just two days before the second Test, which begins on Wednesday, July 2. In addition to Akash Deep, pacers Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, who both played in the first Test, participated significantly in the practice. Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh played less frequently and is expected to be excluded from the playing XI based on reports.

Reports indicate that head coach Gautam Gambhir also had an extended conversation with Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah played in the initial Test at Headingley, achieving the series’ first five-wicket haul. Nevertheless, despite India’s loss, coach Gambhir has been firm about adhering to the workload management strategy and utilizing Bumrah in a maximum of three Tests.

Adding to the uncertainty surrounding the playing XI, reporters at Edgbaston noted that Bumrah marked his run-up and engaged in some practice as well. Akash Deep has previously played seven Tests for India, with his last appearance in the Boxing Day Test against Australia in December 2024. So far, he has claimed 15 wickets in his Test career.

Conversely, Arshdeep has not yet made his Test debut. At just 26 years old, Arshdeep has become India’s top wicket-taker in T20I cricket. Nonetheless, he might need to be patient for his opportunity in whites.

Concerns emerged about India’s bowling lineup following the first Test, as India could not claim 10 wickets in the second innings, resulting in England achieving the second-highest successful run chase in Test cricket on English soil. Ben Duckett struck 149 in the second innings, while India endured the pain of being the first team ever to lose a Test match with five centurions in the squad.