England captain Ben Stokes responded straightforwardly to a reporter’s question on Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the second Test against India, which begins on Wednesday, July 2, in Edgbaston, Birmingham. The all-rounder believed that the visitors were more concerned with Bumrah’s presence or absence than he was with his responsibility to worry about England.
As Team India looks to tie the series, there have been mixed rumors over the right-arm fast bowler’s availability for the Edgbaston Test due to his injury history. Ryan ten Doeschate, India’s assistant coach, stated at a press conference on Monday, June 30, that they will wait until the last minute to call on Bumrah.
In response to a question concerning Jasprit Bumrah’s possible absence, Ben Stokes said (via Hindustan Times):
“(Bumrah is) India’s problem to deal with. I am the captain of England. Let India decide what they want to do and what they want to say publicly.”
Ben Stokes
The 31-year-old fast bowler faced a hefty duty in the first Test in Leeds, bowling 43.4 overs across two innings. As England chased down 371 with five wickets remaining, he went wicketless in the second innings after taking a fifer in the first.
“We all love playing at Edgbaston” – Ben Stokes
The 34 year old also stated that England enjoyed playing at the Edgbaston as the atmosphere is 50-50, considering them and India. He gave more details as quoted by Sky Sports:
The atmosphere is awesome, especially when the Hollies Stand gets going around 4.30pm for obvious reasons! We know when it’s India vs England it’s slight 50-50 with the support so that adds to the spectacle. We all love playing at Edgbaston and we have a pretty good record here. The food is great here as well which helps!”
Ben Stokes
The hosts had already defeated India at the ground by seven wickets in 2022 with unbeaten centuries from Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow seeing them chase down 378.
