Bumrah picked for West Indies Tests: Was he really needed to beat a lower-ranked team?

Was Bumrah needed vs West Indies? [Source: AFP Photo]

India revealed their 15-member squad for the West Indies Test series, and while there were hardly any surprising exclusions, Jasprit Bumrah’s presence in the squad makes for an interesting choice. Team India has openly stated that managing Bumrah’s workload is their top priority, and picking him up for the Windies series doesn’t make much sense.

There is no doubt that Bumrah is India’s greatest asset across formats, but was he truly needed against the West Indies? considering that he missed two games in England, citing workload issues.

Bumrah home vs away Test comparison

(Bumrah home and away Test stats)

• As clearly seen, Bumrah, in his 7-year-long Test journey, has only played 12 out of 48 matches at home, as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the previous two Indian skippers, preferred to utilise him away from home. His workload was managed carefully, and on spin-friendly Indian wickets, he wasn’t used.
• The statistics are astonishing despite only playing 12 matches, as Bumrah has picked 47 wickets in 12 Tests at home, but with his recent injury issues, was there a need to play him against the Windies?.

West Indies, not a promising Test team in 2025

The West Indies of the 1970s and 80s was a nightmare for the opposition captains, but in 2025, the team is a shadow of its former self. Their best players prioritise franchise leagues, and that has left a scar behind. In the ICC Test rankings for teams, West Indies are sitting at the eighth spot, and even in the WTC points table 2023-25, they finished eighth, just above Pakistan.

The team has lost a plethora of talent, and with India starting as the firm favourites, Bumrah could have been rested, considering the opposition quality and the hectic schedule that lies ahead.

Spinners dominate proceedings in India

In India, rank turners are produced, which assist the spinners, and in 2024, it was the spinners who dominated the proceedings.

(Indian spinners domination at home in 2024)

• The Indian spin trio of R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav combined to scalp 112 wickets at home, and showcased their domination. With Ashwin retiring, India have Washington Sundar and Axar Patel as his replacement. India’s spin-bowling option is sorted, and hence the team shouldn’t overdo Bumrah’s workload and should preserve him for important games.

Final verdict

With spinners dominating the proceedings in Indian conditions, the team doesn’t require Bumrah in the squad. Plus, the team has important matches coming in the next few months, and the pacer will be required in those games. Hence, having him in the team will not help his workload management cause.

---

ALSO READ

Karun Nair and? players from England Tests whom India dropped for WI series

---