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“You Can’t Pick And Choose…”: Ex-Captain Calls Out Bumrah Over ‘Workload Management’

Aakash Saini

Mohammad Azharuddin and Jasprit Bumrah [Source: @Bavazir_Network, @iam_cgk/x]Mohammad Azharuddin and Jasprit Bumrah [Source: @Bavazir_Network, @iam_cgk/x]

Team India won the fifth Test at The Oval against England to level the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series 2025 by a 2-2 margin. Remarkably, the Indian team won the series-decider without the services of its premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah.

Bumrah was rested from the fifth Test as part of his workload management routine. Similarly, the speedster was also rested from the second Test of the series played at Birmingham in Edgbaston in early July. Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin is certainly not a fan of Bumrah’s rest and management cycle, as per the recent remarks he made while speaking with a leading daily.

“You Are Playing For Country…” Azharuddin Slams Bumrah

Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin has questioned BCCI’s workload management cycle for fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. Azharuddin stated that one should not pick and choose their matches, and urged Bumrah to manage himself in playing for the country.

He also lauded Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep for rising to the occasion against England in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. However, Azharuddin warned the Indian team of a day when it will truly require Bumrah, only for him to have been rested from the playing XI. While speaking with Mid-Day this past weekend, he said:

“If there is an injury issue, then the Board and the player have to decide. However, I feel once you are in the team, you can't pick and choose your matches. There is a workload, but at this level, you must manage it. You are playing for the country. It was a different story that Siraj, along with Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep, rose to the occasion, and we were fortunate that we could win without Bumrah, but what happens if India needs Bumrah badly in a particular situation?”

It is worth noting that as per recent reports, Jasprit Bumrah might be included in India squad for the upcoming 2025 Men’s T20 Asia Cup in the UAE. However, the BCCI will be announcing the official squad for the tournament later this month.