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Former South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn minced no words in criticizing India’s surprising decision to rest premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test of the ongoing five-match series against England.
Dale Steyn lashes out at India management for benching Bumrah with Cristiano Ronaldo analogy
Drawing a sharp comparison to football, Steyn likened the move to “Portugal benching Cristiano Ronaldo,” questioning the logic behind leaving out a player of such stature and impact. Taking to social media, Steyn wrote with visible disbelief, “So Portugal have the best striker in the world in Ronaldo and they chose not to play him. That’s madness. That’s like India having Bumrah and choosing not to play… wait, oh, no, what! Shit I’m confused,” The statement, laced with sarcasm and surprise, echoed the sentiments of many Indian supporters who were baffled by Bumrah’s exclusion, especially after his stellar showing in the series opener.
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 😵💫
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62)
Despite the heavy criticism, the Indian team management has stood by its call to rest Bumrah, citing it as part of a pre-planned workload management strategy. Ahead of the England tour, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had made it clear that Bumrah would not play all five Tests and would likely feature in only three, based on medical advice from the BCCI’s health team.
At the toss in Birmingham, Indian captain Shubman Gill reiterated this strategy, stating, “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,”
What has amplified the criticism is the fact that Bumrah was in red-hot form, having dismantled England’s batting in the first Test at Headingley with a commanding five-wicket haul, his 14th in Test cricket. Not only did he lead India’s bowling attack with precision, but he also became the first Asian fast bowler to take 150 wickets in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) nations.
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India’s Day 1 response under Shubman Gill at Edgbaston against England
Amid the swirling debate over Bumrah’s exclusion, the Indian batters produced a commanding response on Day 1 of the second Test at Edgbaston. Under overcast conditions and after being asked to bat first by England skipper Ben Stokes, India ended Day 1 at 310/5 in 85 overs, a strong reply from a team under scrutiny.
Leading from the front, captain Gill crafted a sublime century, finishing unbeaten on 114 off 216 balls, while opener Yashasvi Jaiswal provided an electric start with a blistering 87 off 107 deliveries. The duo shared a crucial stand at the top, deflating England’s pace attack. Ravindra Jadeja, known for his calm under pressure, supported the innings with an unbeaten 41 off 67 balls, ensuring India ended the day in control.
England’s bowlers, particularly Chris Woakes, tried their best to make inroads, with Woakes finishing with 2/59 in 21 overs. Brydon Carse, Ben Stokes and Shoaib Bashir each took a wicket, but the lack of sustained pressure and breakthroughs meant India’s batters were largely in control. While India’s batting success may vindicate part of the management’s decision to strengthen their line-up, the absence of Bumrah from the bowling attack remains the bigger talking point ahead of England’s first innings.
