Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has faced a lot of criticism regarding his workload. The criticism intensified after he missed the final Test against England at The Oval, which was a must-win for India.
The team was trailing 1-2 heading into the match and Mohammed Siraj led the bowling attack in Bumrah’s absence as India drew the series. It was pre-decided that Jasprit Bumrah would play only three of the five Tests against England.
Interestingly, India won both the Test matches he didn’t play at Edgbaston and The Oval. The Men in Blue drew the fourth Test in Manchester while lost the first Test at Headingley and the third at Lord’s.
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If Physios Tell Players To Manage Workload, We Should Listen - Chetan Sharma On Jasprit Bumrah
The team management has been keen on managing Jasprit Bumrah’s workload on the back of his multiple back injuries in recent times. He also had a massive back injury in the fourth Test against Australia at Sydney, after which this decision was taken.
The Indian pacer was criticised for picking and choosing games. However, he had the support of his captain Shubman Gill and his coach Gautam Gambhir and while his injury was taken care of. Now, after proper rest, Bumrah has informed the management that he is available for selection for the Asia Cup 2025.
Former Indian cricketer and ex-chief selector Chetan Sharma weighed in on the matter and backed the Indian pacer as he defended his workload criticism. The most recent one to point fingers on Bumrah’s workload management was former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan.
“If the medical team advises, if the doctor tells me that I have to take antibiotics, then I have to consume them. If our physios is telling a player to manage workload, I think we should listen to them because they are the better judges” Chetan Sharma told PTI.
The former Indian Chief Selector further backed Team India to do well in the upcoming Asia Cup.
“I know that whoever is selected will be the best for the country. And the kind of cricket we are playing right now, I'm really proud with the way India played in England. And I'm very confident that we are definitely going to win the Asia Cup (to be played in T20 format) because soon after that we are playing the T20 World Cup (in 2026) in India,” he added.
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Bumrah Likely To Be Picked For Asia Cup 2025
Talking about Jasprit Bumrah, the last T20I he played was the T20 World Cup final in June last year. He is likely to be picked in the team for this year’s tournament. The team will be announced via a press conference in Mumbai later today. While Bumrah is likely to be picked, Siraj is unlikely to be picked as the management wants to keep him fresh for the Test series against West Indies in October.
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