BGT 2024: Played just '34%' of India's matches in 3 years, Manjrekar advocates for Bumrah to play every Test in Australia

Bumrah has already bowled 54 overs across the first two Test matches.

By Salman Anjum - 09 Dec, 2024

Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has advocated for Jasprit Bumrah to play every Test match in the ongoing tour of Australia, citing that the ace pacer has featured in only 34 per cent of the games that the Indian team has played in the last three years.

Bumrah has been the star performer for India in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy so far. While the right-arm quick claimed a match haul of eight wickets in the Perth Test win, he returned with four scalps in the pink-ball Test loss at the Adelaide Oval.

However, the visitors will have to handle Bumrah carefully as three Tests are still left in the series. The Indian pace spearhead has already bowled 54 overs across the first two matches.

"I play him every Test match purely because Indian cricket takes care of Bumrah. And I've said this before as well, the number is etched in my head. 34% of international matches that India have played in the last three years is what Bumrah has played. Only 34% of what Indian cricket has played. So he's well rested. And this is when you need, because these are the series that will be remembered forever," Manjrekar told ESPNCricinfo.

"Give him a break in one of those bilaterals that we forget 48 hours later," he added.

Jasprit Bumrah was attended by the team’s physio during the 81st over of Australia’s first innings in Adelaide, which left the Indian fans worried. However, he resumed bowling immediately, completing his over and delivering three more overs later in the session.

Bumrah appeared fit and bowled an over in Australia’s second innings as well, but there is a concern about whether his body can hold up for the entire duration of the Australia tour.

"Makes me think because Shami was a very close second or on many occasions he was number one, and Bumrah was number two. He had the third seamer, Mohammed Siraj, for a while, you know, was there. He's still bowling his heart out. He's doing the best that, as I said, what he has currently," said Manjrekar.

"But what he has as a bowler, as a gift, as an ability, is that going to be enough? So India will have to keep looking out for that third seamer who's very close. Harshit Rana was pretty impressive in the Perth test. But yes, I think that should be the focus of finding a bowler who, if Bumrah gets off the attack, is still a little concerned about the other two. Shouldn't be like, you know, how it was way back in the 90s when you just saw one new ball bowler. There's nobody else to worry about on an immediate basis," he further remarked.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is currently poised at 1-1, with the third Test scheduled to be held in Brisbane from December 14.

By Salman Anjum - 09 Dec, 2024

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