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Injury concern and? 3 reasons why Jasprit Bumrah should be rested for 2nd Test vs WI

Abhinav Tyagi

Jasprit bumrah practicising for India - (Source : AFP)Jasprit bumrah practicising for India - (Source : AFP)

India thrashed West Indies by an innings and 140 runs to seal the first Test and lead the series 1-0. The caravan now moves onto the 2nd Test in Delhi, when the two teams lock horns on October 10 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. 

Ahead of the second Test, there is a doubt over the playing XI as changes are expected, given India are also set to tour Australia for a white-ball series starting on October 19. Meanwhile, eyebrows are raised on Jasprit Bumrah and whether the India seamer should be part of the 2nd Test or given the deserving rest.

Notably, in the first Test, Mohammed Siraj had overshadowed Bumrah, and the latter only picked up just three wickets in the match, making the fans question the urgency or importance of having the right-arm seamer against a lower-ranked Test side like West Indies.

At present, there is no confirmation whether Bumrah will feature or not in the Delhi Test, but this article will shed light on why the 31-year-old should not play the 2nd Test and who can replace him.

1. Workload Management

India are close to another ICC event as the 2026 T20 World Cup is just five months away. Further, Bumrah has been playing a lot in Asian conditions recently, and his body requires rest; if there are no signals yet, like cramps or weakness.

Bumrah played the entire Asia Cup 2025 and bowled 20 overs in two innings against the West Indies in scorching heat in Ahmedabad. Now, with another big spell in Delhi, it would certainly drain the MI star, and India cannot afford Bumrah to undergo another injury scare in Australia, as he needs to start against the Men in Yellow in the upcoming three T20Is. 

2. Opportunity for others 

India can also look at the second Test as an opportunity for others to shine in place of Bumrah. West Indies are no Australia or England, where Bumrah needs to play.

Further, the first Test showed that the spinners are more effective on Indian conditions. Thus, having Axar Patel and going all out for four spinners and just a solitary seamer in Mohammed Siraj can be a big plus for Team India.

Further, Axar was left out of the first Test and has done nothing wrong to not get a match in the ongoing series.

Further, Prasidh Krishna can also be a great option for India as he was also Bumrah's replacement in the England series, where the right-arm seamer played just three matches.

3. Looking at the future

Besides the World Cup, one silverware that Gautam Gambhir and Co are aimimg for is the WTC title. India have ended up as the runners up twice, but failed to get a hand on the presitigious title.

However, India need to look at the future and utilise Bumrah carefully. After West Indies, India have Tests against South Africa, the defending champions and having Bumrah there for all Tests is a must.

So far, across all formats, the right-arm seamer has alredy bowled 167 overs and the Shubman Gill-led side need to use him carefully and reserve the MI star for South Africa challenge.