“A week is a very good time off for a fast bowler” - Stuart Broad questions Jasprit Bumrah’s absence for 2nd Test vs England

Former England seamer and cricket analyst Stuart Broad has questioned the Indian team management for excluding their pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah from the playing XI for the second Test vs England in Birmingham.

Interestingly, Bumrah has been excluded from the playing XI to manage his workload. Ahead of the start of the tour, the Indian chief selector had clearly stated that the seamer would take part in three out of five Tests. However, he didn’t specify which two Tests Bumrah would miss out on.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Broad asserted that Bumrah’s omission has completely surprised him as the pace got almost seven days of time to manage his workload and get ready for the second Test, which started on Wednesday, July 2.

“A week is a very good time off for a fast bowler. [Bumrah's omission] does surprise me and what also surprised me was him saying before the series he will only play three of the five Tests. You keep those cards close to your chest and play each week as it comes. They will definitely want Bumrah at Lord’s because of the movement you can get through the air," Broad said on Sky Sports on Day 1 of the second Test.

After losing the toss in the second Test, the Indian Test captain Shubman Gill stated that the Indian pace spearhead has been rested for the Birmingham Test, citing workload management. Interestingly, India are 0-1 down in the ongoing five-match Test series.

"It is to manage his workload. It is an important test match for us but we think that the third test match is at Lord's where there might be more on offer," Gill said at the toss after being put into bat first.

At stumps on Day 1, India were 310/5 with Shubman Gill batting on 114* and Ravindra Jadeja on 41*

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