Aakash Chopra backs Jasprit Bumrah to play 2nd Test against England if he is fit and available

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra wants the team’s think tank and selectors to play Jasprit Bumrah in the second Test against England if the gun fast bowler is available for selection. India lost the opening Test at Leeds, Headingley by five wickets and Chopra feels it is no-brainer to include Bumrah in the playing XI.

Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers in the first innings of the opening Test as he bagged a five-wicket haul (5-83) against England. India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate and captain Shubman Gill have both confirmed that Bumrah is available for selection in their respective press conferences.

“Jasprit Bumrah is available. Both Ryan ten Doeschate and Shubman Gill said that. What are we thinking if he is available? If Bumrah is available, and you are trailing 1-0, play him. What are we waiting for?” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

Chopra added that it won’t make sense to play Bumrah after going 2-0 down in the series.

“Will we play him after we are 2-0 down, when we need to win two of the remaining three matches? Then it will be back-to-back, so he will play the third and fifth and miss the fourth. How does that make sense at all?” he added.

The renowned commentator added Bumrah can be rested for the third Test and he can either play fourth or fifth Test.

“Either he is available or he is not. If he is available, he needs to play because there was a long gap between the last Test and this match. The gap is not as big between the second and third Test matches. So if you play him this one, give him rest in the third, and then play him either the fourth or the fifth,” he said.

The former Delhi cricketer said Bumrah can play second and fourth Test and can be rested for the fifth Test at Manchester, where the pitch is flat.

“He can easily play second and fourth. The fifth is at The Oval, that pitch is very flat in any case. So, if he is available, then I think Bumrah should be playing. If he is not available, it’s a different story altogether. Then why are we hearing that he is available? I don’t know what kind of mind games are happening,” Chopra elaborated.

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