IND vs ENG: Jasprit Bumrah Set To Miss 2nd Test Against England, India Search For Replacement: Report

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India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is likely to sit out of the second Test against England at Edgbaston, according to a report by The Indian Express.

With the five-match series delicately poised, this could come as a major setback for the Indian team management. Bumrah is expected to return in time for the third Test at Lord's, scheduled to begin on July 10.

The timing of this reported break is far from ideal. Bumrah was one of the standout performers for India in the opening Test at Headingley, where he bowled a demanding 44 overs.

Despite his efforts, India's bowling unit struggled to maintain discipline, failing to defend a 371-run target on the final day as England chased it down with ease. Now, with Bumrah potentially missing, concerns over how India will take 20 wickets in his absence have only grown louder.

Reacting to the situation, former India head coach Ravi Shastri said Bumrah might be choosing his matches strategically during the series.

"Bumrah said he'll play three Test matches. Now, which of the three he'll play, that's, you know, another question to be asked. I think if he takes a break, it'll be the next one, because he'll definitely want to play at Lord's, right?" Shastri remarked on Sky Sports.

"And there's a break, and then you go into Lord's, then there's a break, and then there's a choice between Manchester and the same. It could be 2-0 down. So that is the problem. I think he has got to play," he added.

On the other hand, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his reservations about resting Bumrah at this stage of the series.

"After such a good individual performance by Bumrah, and with India down 0-1, I wouldn't rest him. I would ask him to play the second Test, help India level the series, and then take a break. There's a good gap between the third and fourth Test where he can rest," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

With Bumrah potentially unavailable, the spotlight shifts to India's bench strength. The team management will now have to decide who among the reserves is best equipped to step into the big shoes of their strike bowler. With the series slipping and time running out, India faces a critical decision ahead of the Edgbaston Test.