New Delhi: India lost the toss for the second consecutive time as the visitors were invited to bat first by England in the Edgbaston Test match on Wednesday. While England walk into the match unchanged, India have made three changes to their playing XI with an aim to get parity in the Test series after going down in the opener by 5 wickets.
While pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was rested from the second Test, Sai Sudharsan and Shardul Thakur were both excluded from the game. Nitish Kumar Reddy, Akash Deep and Washington Sundar made their way into the playing XI for the crucial match. At the toss, skipper Shubman Gill revealed the reason why Kuldeep was not considered for the game and in which Test match will Bumrah make his return.
We wanted to include Kuldeep: Gill
After the Indian skipper lost the toss, he was asked the reason for Bumrah being rested and why Kuldeep was not given a chance. Gill revealed that the team was tempted to play Kuldeep Yadav in the game but in order to add some depth to the batting, they decided against their decision. There are chances that he might fit into the third Test match starting July 10.
On Bumrah’s return, the captain said that he will make a return to the Indian team in the third Test match to be played at the iconic Lord’s. He was rested for Wednesday’ game as part of his workload management after bowling full throttle in the opening match at Leeds. Gill further said that there will be more in the pitch at Lord’s and the team would be able to use him there well.
The Indian team management had declared at the start of the series that Bumrah will only play in three Tests out of five.