Michael Clarke says India might have to risk picking Jasprit Bumrah in 2nd Test

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke said India might have to risk picking Jasprit Bumrah in the second Test match against England as they can not afford to go 2-0 down in the series. India lost the opening Test by five wickets at Leeds, Headingley and the visitors will look to level the series at Edgbaston.

India haven’t yet won a single game at Edgbaston, losing seven and drawing one. Meanwhile, Clarke reckons Bumrah over bowled in the opening Test, which are not good signs.

Bumrah returned with impressive figures of 5-83 in the first innings in 24.4 overs he bowled. The Indian pack leader bowled 19 overs in the second dig but went wicketless. The team management has already revealed that Bumrah would play only three Test matches in the series. 

It has been reported that Bumrah will miss the second Test to manage his workload.

“Bumrah bowled really well. He’s going to be the talking point now leading into the second Test for India. They are going to be a very different attack without him. I think they’ve got to be careful to manage his workload even in the Tests he’s playing. 25 overs in the first innings I think 20 in he second, that is a lot of bowling in the first Test,” Clarke said on Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.

“He’s only going to play three Tests no matter what so, there’s a eight-day break for the second Test, do they pick in him that. There’s a quick turnaround for the third Test. I don’t think you can afford to go 2-0 down so you might have to risk picking Bumrah in the second Test. Play your best XI and try to go 1 all. I don’t think India can afford to go into the second Test without Bumrah. I’d be finding a way to freshen him up, let him recover, doesn’t need to bowl in the nets. Just get fit and ready for the game, that’s what I’d be focused on,” he reckoned.

On the other hand, India bagged an unwanted record as they became the first team to lose a Test match despite scoring five centuries.

“They made five hundreds and lost the Test match. It’s unbelievable. Rishabh Pant hundred in both innings. I’m not surprised. I watched that last hundred in the IPL and he just hit the ball so well. He loves playing Test cricket. It is a format he is probably best at and he showed that. Class batting. Absolute star,” he said.

The second Test match between India and England will be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham from July 2nd onwards.