What to expect from Gill & Co at Edgbaston

Bumrah's workload may mean the premier pacer might be rested

- SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN @Chennai

DURING the journey from England's north to the midlands, the Indian management will have been deep in thought with respect to the situation surrounding Jasprit Bumrah. He's the ultimate plug and play operator in world cricket but there's also the question about his workload.

The allure of a Lord's Test may see Bumrah missing out from featuring at Edgbaston in the second Test, beginning next Wednesday. Even otherwise, Edgbaston has become a very Bazball ground. Since the beginning of 2022, teams average over 35 while scoring at 4 runs per over (average below 29 and 3.72 are the corresponding Lord's numbers). So, the smart money is on the management giving their star pacer a break as they manage his workload and fitness. It's kind of understandable why they want to be extra careful with him: he's already had a couple of big injuries, with the one in Sydney coming earlier this year.