Following a disappointing defeat in the first Test against England in Leeds, India is gearing up for the second Test in Birmingham on July 2, 2025. The visitors will be aiming to level the series, but face a significant hurdle with Jasprit Bumrah likely to miss the match due to workload management. This absence forces the team management to consider crucial changes to the playing XI.
Bumrah's absence is a major blow considering his stellar performance in the first Test, where he took a five-wicket haul. He bowled 44 overs in the first Test. The decision to rest him was predetermined, as he was slated to play only three of the five Tests to manage his workload following a recent back injury. While some experts, like Ravichandran Ashwin, suggested he play the second Test to level the series and then take rest, the team management seems inclined to stick to the original plan.
With Bumrah out, the spotlight is on the potential replacements and the overall bowling strategy. During a recent practice session in Birmingham, Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna did not participate in bowling drills. Head coach Gautam Gambhir was observed having extensive discussions with pacers Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh, hinting at their possible inclusion in the playing XI. Both Akash Deep and Arshdeep were seen bowling with the new ball in the nets, suggesting they might open the bowling.
Several names are being considered to fill the void left by Bumrah. Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh are strong contenders, with many sources suggesting they are likely to feature in the second Test. There's also speculation about including a second spinner, considering the expected spin-friendly conditions at Edgbaston. Kuldeep Yadav could replace either Mohammed Siraj or Prasidh Krishna.
The performance of the other bowlers in the first Test has also come under scrutiny. Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj struggled to replicate Bumrah's impact. Krishna's figures were 3/128 in 20 overs and 2/92 in 15 overs in the first and second innings respectively, while Siraj managed 2/122 in 27 overs and 0/51 in 14 overs. Shardul Thakur's performance was also underwhelming, contributing little with both bat and ball. He bowled 6 overs for 2 wickets in the first innings and 10 overs in the second innings. This has led to speculation about Nitish Kumar Reddy, who impressed during India A's tour of Australia, replacing Shardul to bolster the batting.
Given these factors, a possible Indian XI for the second Test could be: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj.
Changes in the batting lineup are less likely, as the top-order batsmen showed promise in the first Test. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant all scored centuries. However, the middle order collapse in both innings is a concern. Karun Nair and Ravindra Jadeja add depth to the middle order. Nitish Kumar Reddy could replace Nair in the XI.
The second Test is crucial for India to bounce back in the series. The team needs to address their bowling concerns and capitalize on their batting strengths to level the series against a strong England side.
