As of today, Monday, June 30, 2025, reports suggest that Jasprit Bumrah is highly likely to be rested for the second Test against England at Edgbaston, which begins on July 2nd.
Even though captain Shubman Gill initially downplayed fitness concerns, Bumrah's absence from bowling in the latter stages of the first Test and his decision not to bowl in the nets on Friday (though he did bowl on Saturday) strongly indicate he'll be given a break.
If Bumrah is indeed out, here's a probable team for the second Test, considering the recent performances and available squad:
India Probable XI for 2nd Test vs England (if Bumrah is out):
Yashasvi Jaiswal: Showed good form in the first Test with a century.
KL Rahul: Also scored a century and is a key opener.
Sai Sudharsan / Karun Nair: This is a toss-up. Both struggled in the first Test. India might stick with Sudharsan for continuity or give Nair another chance, or even consider Nitish Kumar Reddy if they want a batting all-rounder at number 3.
Shubman Gill (c): Captain and a century-maker in the first Test.
Rishabh Pant (wk/vc): Vice-captain and another century-maker. His aggressive batting is crucial.
Nitish Kumar Reddy: With Bumrah out, India might consider strengthening their lower order batting and also having another pace option. Reddy showed good form in Australia and can chip in with medium pace.
This would likely mean dropping either Karun Nair or Sai Sudharsan from the specialist batting slot. Ravindra Jadeja: A vital all-rounder, though his bowling wasn't as penetrative in the first Test.
Kuldeep Yadav: Given the struggles of the pace attack in the first Test and the potential for spin on a deteriorating Edgbaston pitch, Kuldeep could come in as a second specialist spinner, providing a wicket-taking option. This would likely come at the expense of Shardul Thakur.
Mohammed Siraj: Will need to step up as the senior pacer in Bumrah's absence.
Arshdeep Singh: The front-runner to replace Bumrah. He offers left-arm pace and swing, which can be crucial in English conditions, and has been impressive in first-class cricket.
Prasidh Krishna: Despite being expensive in the first Test, his extra pace might be preferred on a relatively flat Edgbaston pitch. However, there's also a chance Akash Deep could be considered if the team wants more accuracy or a different kind of seam.
Key Changes and Rationale:
Bumrah's Replacement: Arshdeep Singh is the most likely candidate to step in for Bumrah, offering variety with his left-arm angle.
Spin Reinforcement: Including Kuldeep Yadav is a strong possibility, especially if the pitch is expected to dry out and offer turn. This would provide more wicket-taking options with spin, as Jadeja can be economical but sometimes struggles for breakthroughs on unresponsive surfaces.
Batting Depth/Pace All-rounder: The struggles of the lower order in the first Test might lead to the inclusion of Nitish Kumar Reddy, who can bat and bowl. This could come at the cost of a specialist batter like Karun Nair or Sai Sudharsan, or even Shardul Thakur if Kuldeep plays.
The final decision will likely depend on the pitch conditions at Edgbaston and the team management's assessment of how best to balance their attack and bolster their batting.
