Bumrah's Rest for Lord's Test Sparks Controversy: Sangakkara Questions India's Series Strategy Amidst Team "Baggage"

India captain Shubman Gill (L) and Jasprit Bumrah (R) speak during a nets session in England. (AP/PTI)

The decision by the Indian team management to rest Jasprit Bumrah, their premier fast bowler, for the crucial second Test against England at Edgbaston has ignited a wave of discussion and debate among cricket analysts. With India already trailing 0-1 in the five-match series, the decision to sideline Bumrah, despite a week's rest between matches, has drawn sharp reactions from prominent figures like Ravi Shastri, Dale Steyn, and Kumar Sangakkara. The team had previously decided that Bumrah would only participate in three of the five Tests.

Alongside Bumrah's absence, the team's composition saw further alterations for the Edgbaston Test. Akash Deep replaced Bumrah, while Nitish Reddy stepped in for Shardul Thakur, and Washington Sundar took Sai Sudharsan's place. Additionally, Karun Nair was promoted to the number three batting position.

The choice to rest Bumrah is particularly contentious given the high stakes of the match and India's recent underwhelming performance in Test cricket. Since September of the previous year, the team has suffered seven defeats in Test matches, managing only a single victory and a draw in their last nine outings.

Kumar Sangakkara, the former Sri Lankan captain, openly questioned the rationale behind resting Bumrah, emphasizing the critical nature of the situation.

"It's interesting to understand how the decision is being made and who makes it? Is it after a consultation with the players or the physios? It depends on whether the Lord's Test is more important than the series? The series is on the line. If we see the score, it's an even day, perhaps a little bit more tilted towards England with the five wickets down. So I would have expected the coach to have gone to Bumrah and say 'Yes, we thought you might play the 3rd and the 5th Test, but we're going 1 and 2. Take a look if you can play the third if you can, because then you've got two weeks off before the next one," Sangakkara commented on Sky Sports.

While one perspective suggests the rest is to ensure Bumrah's fitness for the upcoming Lord's Test, critics argue that his presence was essential to prevent India from falling into a 0-2 hole, given they are already behind in the series.

Sangakkara further suggested that the multiple changes in the playing XI might reflect the intense pressure on the team management due to recent poor results.

"It's not just a reaction to the last Test. I think there is a bit of chat about the last 9-10. Seven losses, one win, one draw. There is a little bit of baggage as well to turn that pattern around. So there was a lot of pressure and they were looking at this game and thinking 'alright, what can we do?' and they ring in all the changes," Sangakkara concluded.