India’s experienced batter KL Rahul began the England Test series with a strong performance, scoring 42 in the first innings and following it up with a superb 137 in the second at Leeds. Though his efforts came in a losing cause, Rahul’s consistency at the top of the order stood out, especially in the absence of Rohit Sharma, who retired from international cricket in May. Rahul, often used as a middle-order floater in the past, has now stepped up as a senior opener and has lived up to the expectations.

Rahul’s commitment off the field has also drawn praise, with Delhi Capitals head coach Hemang Badani lauding his dedication to national duty. “I really liked the fact that he was someone who said, 'I want to go to England early. I want to play the side game.' Forget about the hundred he got—that came later. The intent—that's what matters. The intent to be there early, to be prepared, to be with the side. Let's not forget, he's a young father, and I don't think his child is travelling with him initially. So for him to say, 'Country over my child'—that's a huge call," Badani told the Times of India.

Badani further appreciated Rahul’s decision to participate in the intra-squad warm-up game between India and India A, the team’s only match simulation before the first Test. “He could've easily said, 'I'm not playing the side game anyway; I'll just go straight to the Test match.' But he didn't,” he pointed out.

Senior Role and Leadership on Display

"KL made a statement I remember ahead of the Test series: 'I care for this team, and I want to be here.' He wanted to go to England. I could see the hunger in his eyes and in his words. In the absence of Rohit and Virat, he becomes the most senior batter—and he has played that role really well," said Badani, highlighting Rahul’s readiness to embrace leadership.

See Also: 'I’ve only one request..' - Former Indian player urges Rishabh Pant to skip such celebration ahead of ENG vs IND 2025 2nd Test

"He's played in England before. And in terms of maturity and technique, you can clearly see he's more focused now. He knows he has to fill the vacuum left behind. The rest of the squad—apart from Karun—are mostly under 30. So he has to guide players like Sai Sudharsan, Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Nitish Kumar Reddy—all of whom are new to this level," he added.

Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin heaped praise on Rishabh Pant for his exceptional performance in the first Test against England at Leeds, where the wicketkeeper-batter struck centuries in both innings. Despite Pant’s heroics, India lost the game by five wickets. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin made an interesting comparison, saying that Pant should be measured alongside elite top-order batters like Virat Kohli rather than former captain MS Dhoni, who never batted as high as No. 5 in Tests.

“… Rishabh Pant should be compared with the likes of Virat Kohli… He is a mainstream batter. Because he has so much time… some of these special batters have that knack of picking the ball early. They pick the line quickly, pick the length quickly, and they get into lovely positions. Rishabh Pant is one of those rare players who has got that special skill,” Ashwin said. The spinner also made a light-hearted appeal to Pant regarding his signature celebration, adding, “I’ve only one request: please don’t do that front flip. In Tests, your body gets tired, unlike in IPL where you will not play more than 50–60 balls. He is a bona fide top batter in the Indian lineup. So he has nothing to prove.”

Pant’s twin centuries were historic, making him only the second designated wicketkeeper in the history of Test cricket to score centuries in both innings. The first was Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower, who scored 142 & 199* against South Africa in Harare in 2001. Ashwin lauded Pant's shot-making ability and his temperament but urged him to convert those knocks into even bigger contributions in the future.

Ashwin Urges Pant to Stretch His Innings Further

“Rishabh has had a fabulous game as a batter. But I would like to repeat that Rishabh has a great defense. There is not one shot in the book that he cannot play…” said Ashwin. He suggested that Pant, given his potential and form, should look to convert his centuries into double hundreds in Tests.

See Also: "How Poorly He Bowled": Ex-England star's brutally honest take on Ravindra Jadeja's performance

“Can I request you to make a double 100 next time when you’re batting at 130? Because, you know that lower order doesn’t mean more contribution. So, in your situation, I request you to please take the team to the last day,” Ashwin said, stressing Pant’s importance in steering the team to safety in the longer format.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) added another pacer to the squad for the upcoming Test against India, and it is Jofra Archer. Archer can get the chance to play in Edgbaston, in the second of the five-match series.

The English pacer has been out of the format since he toured England in 2021. For multiple injury problems, the talented pacer was ruled out from the side for multiple highly rated matches. In 2024, Jofra was part of England's playing XI for only 7 limited overs matches. The seamer himself, too, agreed that adopting the Test format again would not be so easy after so many years.

"I've been playing for a year and bowling for two years, including the build-up, so everything is fine. Now it's a different challenge, because I know my body can hold up to it. The mental part of the game will be tough. Over the next couple of days, I'm going to have to battle a bit with it, but it's all good. It's a new challenge, and I'll keep trucking along," he said. 

Read More: 'There is no point in playing...': India great gives major selection advice to Gautam Gambhir, wants this star in playing XI for second Test

Archer may have to face a tough compitition 

Before the 2nd Test, which is scheduled to start on July 2, England has multiple options in their pace bowling line-up. In the first match, Ben Stokes and Co. relied on Chris Woakes, Josh Tongue, and Brydon Carse as the pace bowlers, including the skipper himself. Apart from Wokes, Tongue, and Carse, Archer has competition with the other two pacers of the squad—Sam Cook and Jamie Overton—to make a space in the playing XI. 

England Men's Test squad

Ben Stokes (Captain), Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes

India’s campaign in the five-match Test series against England suffered an early jolt as they lost the opening Test in Leeds by five wickets. Despite Jasprit Bumrah’s stunning five-wicket haul in the first innings, India’s bowling lacked edge elsewhere, with Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna struggling to make an impact. As the series moves to Edgbaston for the second Test starting July 2, India may have to deal with the absence of their pace spearhead.

According to sources confirmed to NDTV, Jasprit Bumrah will sit out the second Test as part of India’s workload management strategy. Bumrah bowled 44 overs throughout the opening Test—This was due to the workload management issues and to prevent his back injury, and also Headingley pitch being unlikely for fast bowlers. His absence would be damaging to India, particularly when the rest of the attack failed to come good. Prasidh Krishna returned figures of 5/220 in the two innings, while Siraj could pick up only two wickets in 41 overs.

India’s biggest concern ahead of the Edgbaston clash is not just the flat pitch expected but the need to preserve Bumrah’s fitness. The third Test at Lord’s, which starts just three days after the second, is seen as crucial, and the conditions there could suit Bumrah’s strengths. Hence, resting him now is seen as a tactical move to keep him fresh and fully fit for the bigger challenge at Lord’s.

Why Bumrah May Sit Out the Second Test

Flat Edgbaston Pitch Offers Little for Bowlers: Headingley, traditionally a seamer-friendly venue, produced a batting track for the first Test—one that saw England chase down 350 on Day 5. A similar flat pitch is expected at Edgbaston, making it unwise for Bumrah to grind through another 40-plus overs with little assistance. Giving him a break now could allow him to be sharper for more bowler-friendly conditions ahead.

India's crisis deepens after 1st Test Loss: Star pacer to miss 2nd Test vs England - BCCI sources#JaspritBumrah #INDvsENG https://t.co/ADJ2UO5SuL

— CricketNDTV (@CricketNDTV) June 26, 2025

See Also: Three Indian players likely to be dropped for 2nd Test vs England: Reports

Tight Schedule Demands Smart Workload Management: With the third Test beginning just three days after the Test at Edgbaston concludes, the turnaround is so tight that it becomes virtually impossible for Bumrah to recover if he plays both matches. The pitch at Lord's will probably suit pacers, and India will require their best pacer fully fit and in top form. Resting Bumrah in the second Test is therefore a strategic decision to reap long-term dividends.

India commenced their England tour with an early setback, losing the first Test match at Headingley by 5 wickets. Despite centuries from Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, missed opportunities with the bat in the lower-order batting, sloppy fielding, and ineffective bowling cost them the game. With the victory, England has taken a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Shubman Gill’s side now faces tough decisions ahead of the second Test at Edgbaston, starting July 2. Here are three players who may be dropped:

1. Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur had a poor day with both bat and ball. He got out for 1 and 4 in his two innings, to almost similar dismissals in the slips. With the ball, he took 0/38 in 6 overs and 2/51 in 10, conceding runs at more than 5 an over on aggregate. With his poor performances and India having the option to replace him with Nitish Kumar Reddy, Thakur might be dropped from the next game.

2. Ravindra Jadeja

The experienced all-rounder could not impose himself in Leeds. He was out for 11 and 25* and did not deliver any concrete breakthroughs, taking just 1/79 off 22 overs in the game. With the lack of turn from the pitch and his batting performance average, doubts surround his place in English conditions. India may opt to play a specialist batsman or a true pacer instead.

See Also: Former India skipper urges Gautam Gambhir's team India to stop 'Optional Practice' after loss against England in 1st Test

3. Jasprit Bumrah (Possible Rest)

Bumrah was India's top bowler in the first Test, taking 5/66 in the first innings and 2/40 in the second. But with only a three-day break between the second and third Tests at Lord's, India may opt to leave him rested at Edgbaston. It is of key importance that his workload is managed, particularly given his injury record and his value to the team.