Bumrah’s Benching: Ravi Shastri Questions India’s Strategy in Birmingham Test

After a loss in the Leeds Test, India had a week to regroup, but the team management’s decision to bench Jasprit Bumrah for the Birmingham Test has raised eyebrows. Ravi Shastri, the former Indian captain, expressed his surprise and concern over this move. He mentioned that after a week-long break, it was difficult to understand why the world’s best fast bowler was not playing in such a crucial match. Shastri also highlighted the importance of the captain and head coach deciding the playing eleven and emphasized the need for an aggressive approach to win. The team’s approach appears defensive, especially considering India’s history of losing all previous Tests played in Birmingham. Bumrah’s absence is even more noteworthy, given his wife’s earlier encouragement for him to play.