It was decided that Jasprit Bumrah will only play three games in order to limit his workload prior to the tour. Bumrah will play at Lord's in the third Test, according to former Indian coach Ravi Shastri, who also predicted that if Bumrah were to take a break throughout the series, it would have to be in the following match at Edgbaston.

“Bumrah said he’ll play three Test matches. Now, which of the three he’ll play, that’s, you know, another question to be asked. I think if he takes a break, it’ll be the next one, because he’ll definitely want to play at Lord’s, right? And there’s a break, and then you go into Lord’s, then there’s a break, and then there’s a choice between Manchester and the same. It could be 2-0 down. So that is the problem. I think he has got to play,” Shastri said, speaking on Sky Sports.

Prior to the series, India had suffered home losses to New Zealand 3-0 and Australia 3-1 Down Under. “It will be a tough pill to swallow because I was just telling him, back in the commentary box, that we lost 3-0 against New Zealand, lost a series in Australia. Now, this is a tough series. You had your opportunity to go one up here, you know, with England having problems with their bowling attack, the injuries that they have. And you’ve blown it. And now it’s catch-up time,” Shastri said.

India did not provide the goods, even though it was in a strong position. Indian bowlers appeared struggling and lost the first Test in Leeds while defending 371 runs on the last day of the contest.

“You’re going to go and show some real character. And the knockout punch has to come in the very next Test match. If that doesn’t happen, then you’re really looking down. So whenever there’s a counter punch, you’re down. That has to happen quite immediately. So they have to realise that,” Shastri said.