Former South Africa quick bowler Dale Steyn minced no phrases in criticizing India’s shocking determination to relaxation premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah for the second Take a look at of the continued five-match sequence towards England.
Dale Steyn lashes out at India administration for benching Bumrah with Cristiano Ronaldo analogy
Drawing a pointy comparability to soccer, Steyn likened the transfer to “Portugal benching Cristiano Ronaldo,” questioning the logic behind leaving out a participant of such stature and affect. Taking to social media, Steyn wrote with seen disbelief, “So Portugal have one of the best striker on the planet in Ronaldo and so they selected to not play him. That’s insanity. That’s like India having Bumrah and selecting to not play… wait, oh, no, what! Shit I’m confused,” The assertion, laced with sarcasm and shock, echoed the feelings of many Indian supporters who have been baffled by Bumrah’s exclusion, particularly after his stellar displaying within the sequence opener.
So Portugal have one of the best striker on the planet in Ronaldo and so they selected to not play him.
Thats insanity.
That’s like India having Bumrah and selecting to not play, umm, him… wait, oh, no, what! shit I’m confused 😵💫
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) July 2, 2025
Regardless of the heavy criticism, the Indian staff administration has stood by its name to relaxation Bumrah, citing it as a part of a pre-planned workload administration technique. Forward of the England tour, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had made it clear that Bumrah wouldn’t play all 5 Checks and would seemingly function in solely three, primarily based on medical recommendation from the BCCI’s well being staff.
On the toss in Birmingham, Indian captain Shubman Gill reiterated this technique, stating, “Simply to handle his workload. We did get a great break and this is a vital match for us. However the third Take a look at being at Lord’s, we predict there’ll be extra in that pitch so we’ll use him there,”
What has amplified the criticism is the truth that Bumrah was in red-hot kind, having dismantled England’s batting within the first Take a look at at Headingley with a commanding five-wicket haul, his 14th in Take a look at cricket. Not solely did he lead India’s bowling assault with precision, however he additionally turned the primary Asian quick bowler to take 150 wickets in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) nations.
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India’s Day 1 response below Shubman Gill at Edgbaston towards England
Amid the swirling debate over Bumrah’s exclusion, the Indian batters produced a commanding response on Day 1 of the second Take a look at at Edgbaston. Beneath overcast situations and after being requested to bat first by England skipper Ben Stokes, India ended Day 1 at 310/5 in 85 overs, a powerful reply from a staff below scrutiny.
Main from the entrance, captain Gill crafted a chic century, ending unbeaten on 114 off 216 balls, whereas opener Yashasvi Jaiswal supplied an electrical begin with a blistering 87 off 107 deliveries. The duo shared an important stand on the prime, deflating England’s tempo assault. Ravindra Jadeja, recognized for his calm below strain, supported the innings with an unbeaten 41 off 67 balls, guaranteeing India ended the day in management.
England’s bowlers, notably Chris Woakes, tried their greatest to make inroads, with Woakes ending with 2/59 in 21 overs. Brydon Carse, Ben Stokes and Shoaib Bashir every took a wicket, however the lack of sustained strain and breakthroughs meant India’s batters have been largely in management. Whereas India’s batting success might vindicate a part of the administration’s determination to strengthen their line-up, the absence of Bumrah from the bowling assault stays the larger speaking level forward of England’s first innings.
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