Former South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn criticised Indian team management, especially coach Gautam Gambhir for deciding to rest star pacer Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test against England in Birmingham. Taking to social media Steyn posted a message comparing the move to “Portugal benching Cristiano Ronaldo.”
He wrote, “So Portugal have the best striker in the world in Ronaldo and they chose not to play him. Thats madness. That’s like India having Bumrah and choosing not to play, umm, him… wait, oh, no, what! shit I’m confused”
IND Vs ENG, 2nd Test: Shubman Gill’s Century Leads India’s Strong Start On Day 1 In Birmingham
Why was Bumrah dropped for the IND vs ENG 2nd Test?
India made three changes for the Edgbaston Test, with Bumrah making way for Akash Deep. The Indian team management had earlier insisted that the decision was a pre-planned one aimed at managing Bumrah’s workload. Ahead of the tour, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had revealed that the star pacer would only play three of the five Tests, following medical advice from the BCCI’s health team.
Despite being 0-1 down in the series, the management stuck to the plan. Explaining the decision at the toss, Gill said, “Just to manage his workload. We did get a good break and this is an important match for us. But the third Test being at Lord’s, we think there’ll be more in that pitch so we’ll use him there.”