Sangakkara Questions India's Priorities: Is Bumrah Rest Justified With Series on the Line?

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

The decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah, India's premier fast bowler, for the crucial second Test against England at Edgbaston has ignited debate and drawn criticism towards head coach Gautam Gambhir. Despite a week-long break following their 0-1 series deficit, the Indian team management adhered to their predetermined plan of limiting Bumrah to just three of the five Tests. This move has sparked reactions from prominent figures in the cricket world, including Ravi Shastri, Dale Steyn, and Kumar Sangakkara.

India made three alterations to their lineup for the Edgbaston Test. Akash Deep replaced Bumrah, 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 decision to rest Bumrah is especially contentious given the match's significance and India's recent Test performance. Since September of the previous year, the team has suffered seven Test defeats, managing only one victory and one draw in their last nine outings.

Former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara has openly questioned the reasoning behind Bumrah's exclusion, suggesting the situation warranted a reassessment of the original plan.

"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? Does the team think 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 stated on Sky Sports.

Some speculate that Bumrah was rested to ensure his peak fitness for the upcoming Lord's Test. However, critics contend that with India already trailing in the series, his presence could have been decisive in preventing a potentially crippling 0-2 deficit.

Sangakkara also noted that the numerous changes to the playing XI could indicate the pressure on the team management stemming from recent underwhelming 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.