Bumrah has to play at Edgbaston, it’s non-negotiable: Mark Butcher

Former England cricketer Mark Butcher believes that Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah must play the second Test at Edgbaston, starting on July 2. With India trailing 0-1 in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series, Butcher stressed upon the importance of Bumrah’s presence in the playing XI.

However, Bumrah’s inclusion remains uncertain as team management continues to monitor his workload. Prior to the series, Bumrah had stated that he was likely to feature in only three of the five Tests. Many reports suggest that the pacer could skip the Edgbaston Test in favour of playing the third Test at Lord’s.

"Bumrah is going to be a huge talking point as to whether or not this is one of his three Test matches. I think it has to be, it absolutely has to be. Six day break after Headingley, 1-0 down, he plays. I know he wants to play at Lord's but the needs of the team and the series are more important than his wish to play a Test at Lord's," Butcher said on Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast.

"And who knows, he might get through this one okay and be fine for Lord's, and then you take your chances at the back-end," he added.

Bring in Kuldeep & Arshdeep into XI: Butcher

Butcher has urged India to make key changes for the second Test against England, suggesting the inclusion of left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav and pacer Arshdeep Singh in place of Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur.

Kuldeep holds an impressive record against England, having taken 21 wickets at an average of 22.28 in six Tests. Meanwhile, Arshdeep is yet to debut in the format but is seen as a promising option with the ability to swing the ball in English conditions and left-arm angle.

"First and foremost, depending on what you've got in your squad, you try and pick bowlers that the opposition – England, with their shot-making preference – would like the least. What they would very much enjoy are mid to low eighties seam bowlers. What they would enjoy much less than that is left-arm leg spin, if you have one – and India do have one. That would be the starting point," said Butcher.

"A left-arm swing bowler is also perhaps an option. If Arshdeep [Singh] comes in, I think Prasidh Krishna was found wanting.... If you can manage it, you go Siraj, Bumrah, Arshdeep, Kuldeep, Jadeja, and you take the cards where they fall with your batting. Simply because – I said it at the time during the first Test match – I couldn't see how Shardul was going to make enough runs to make up for his lack of potency with the ball," he concluded.