India’s assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, verified that lead fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is able to play in the second Test against England at Edgbaston. The decision about whether he’ll be in the final eleven is pending, given India planned to use him sparingly in the five-match series.

After the first game, head coach Gautam Gambhir stated the management wouldn’t change their minds about only playing Bumrah in three games. Despite fans and former players suggesting Bumrah play all five Tests, Gambhir quickly dismissed this, saying they were more focused on managing his workload.

Reports suggest India might not play the second Test without Bumrah. Doeschate addressed concerns about Bumrah, stating he’s able to play, but management hasn’t decided if he’ll be on the field.

Yes, he can play in the game. We planned from the beginning for him to only play three of the five games. He’s had eight days to recover from the last Test. Given the conditions, workload, and how we think we can best manage the next four games, we haven’t decided yet. We’ll check on the other guys’ workloads too. So, yes, he’s able to play, but we haven’t decided if he will, Doeschate told reporters at a press conference.

India played Bumrah in the first game at Headingley but still lost. He did well in the first innings, taking 5/83, but didn’t get any wickets in the second.

With Bumrah less effective, England won by chasing down a 371-run target, their second-highest successful chase ever. With Bumrah able to play in two of the four Tests, Doeschate said they need to figure out which pitch is best to get the most from him.

Bumrah is ready to play. As I said before, it’s about how we manage these four Tests. If we think it’s worthwhile to play him in this Test, we’ll decide at the last minute. I’m talking about the pitch conditions. Would it be better to save him for Lord’s and maybe Manchester or the Oval? We’re considering all those things, he said.

Bumrah practiced in the nets on Saturday during an optional training session. India will make the final decision, considering how Bumrah feels physically before the Test.

You saw him train yesterday, and he trained a bit today. It’s not that he can’t play. We’re just trying to figure out how to use him best, based on what we know he can do, he added.

India’s Squad: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kl Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwan, Karun Naier, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, DHRAVV JADEA JADEA, DHRANDRA JADEJAA, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav