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As India gear up for the second Test against England at Edgbaston, all eyes are on Jasprit Bumrah not just for his bowling, but for his availability. Former South Africa skipper AB de Villiers has stirred the cricketing world with his candid remarks about Bumrah’s workload management, questioning India’s approach, and hinting at possible mind games ahead of a crucial series moment.
AB de Villiers advocates full-throttle Jasprit Bumrah in Tests
De Villiers, renowned for his cricketing acumen, expressed surprise over reports suggesting that Bumrah might play only three out of the five Tests in England. For de Villiers, Test cricket remains the pinnacle of the sport, and he believes that a marquee series like this is exactly when a team’s premier fast bowler should be unleashed in full force. Drawing parallels with how South Africa managed Dale Steyn, de Villiers on his You tube channel said, “That’s what we used to do with Dale (Steyn). Rest him in less important T20 and ODI series and get him ready for the big Test series against Australia, England, and India away from home”.
De Villiers further questioned whether medical advice or recent injuries are dictating Bumrah’s participation, but he was clear about his preference: “This Test series probably would’ve been the one, in my opinion, to get him ready for all five Test matches.” He emphasized that unless there’s a significant injury concern, Bumrah should feature in the remaining four Tests, especially with India trailing 0-1 in the series.
Also READ: ENG vs IND: Who will replace Jasprit Bumrah in the Edgbaston Test – Arshdeep Singh or Akash Deep?
Mind games or mismanagement? De Villiers warns England of a Bumrah surprise
Beyond workload debates, De Villiers hinted at a possible strategic ploy by the Indian camp. He suggested that making Bumrah’s limited availability public could be a deliberate move to keep England guessing: “Maybe it’s all part of the surprise, saying, ‘We are thinking of resting Bumrah,’ but then he ends up playing all five Test matches as a surprise. I think being 1-0 down, that’s hopefully the surprise for Team India,”
De Villiers also acknowledged the challenge India faces with an inexperienced bowling attack if Bumrah is rested, but he backed the likes of Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav to step up if needed. Still, his underlying message was clear: for India to mount a comeback in this high-stakes series, their best bowler must be at the forefront, echoing his praise for Bumrah’s ability to deliver in all conditions and formats.
“He is probably the top bowler in the world in all formats right now. So, it’s very difficult to decide a way to rest him, but in my opinion, Test cricket is the ultimate form of the game,” De Villiers concluded.
As the second Test approaches, De Villiers’ insights have not only reignited the debate on player management but also set the stage for potential tactical drama. Whether India’s approach is a matter of necessity or a masterstroke in psychological warfare, one thing is certain: Bumrah’s presence or absence will be pivotal in shaping the outcome of this gripping Test series.
Also READ: ENG vs IND: Deep Dasgupta picks India’s playing XI for the Edgbaston Test with two key changes
