Cricket
IND vs ENG: Gambhir-Gill Duo Set to Hand Akash Deep Test Cap as Bumrah Rests
Ray Sportz Web Desk: In a strategic move ahead of the second Test against England at Edgbaston, Team India is reportedly set to rest pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, with Bengal pacer Akash Deep emerging as the surprise replacement.
Team mentor Gautam Gambhir was seen in an extended conversation with Bumrah during a recent training session, further fueling speculation. Sources suggest the management had always planned to rotate Bumrah during the five-match series to manage his workload.
Akash Deep, who last featured for India in December 2024, has impressed in practice sessions and is expected to partner Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna in the revamped pace attack. The decision has sparked mixed reactions, with some former cricketers backing the strategy while others believe Bumrah’s presence at Edgbaston could be crucial.
The second Test begins on July 2, with India trailing 0–1 in the series after a heavy defeat at Leeds. All eyes will now be on how the team responds in Bumrah’s absence and whether the surprise inclusion of Akash Deep pays off.