Bumrah featured in three of the five Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Tests.
Jasprit Bumrah has come under the scanner for his workload management in the recently held Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The Indian team management had confirmed before the England tour that ace pacer would only feature in three of the five Tests.
The No.1-ranked Test bowler turned up in the first, third and fourth games and was rested for the second Test, which India won by 336 runs at Edgbaston.
Despite India being down 1-2, Bumrah didn’t feature in the series-decider at The Oval, where the visitors emerged victorious by a narrow margin of six runs to level the series 2-2.
Amidst the scrutiny, former Australia skipper Michael Clarke has come to Bumrah’s defense, saying that winning without the right-arm quick was truly commendable but having him in the XI makes the side strong.
"To win the last match and level the series. Wow! Phenomenal, absolutely brilliant. And the other thing as well. In the two Test matches that India won, the best bowler in the world didn't play in Bumrah. Bumrah didn't play the two Test matches that India won. So, to the other bowlers in the Indian squad, they deserve a lot of credit to be able to step up," said Clarke on Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.
"And I do believe, and I don't think anybody would say differently, any team with Bumrah in it is a better team. But to be able to win those two matches without him, that bowling attack deserves a lot of credit," he added.
Clarke was effusive in praise of Mohammed Siraj, who led India’s pace attack brilliantly in Bumrah’s absence and finished the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy as the leading wicket-taker, with 23 scalps to his name.
"India bowling again, Krishna, Siraj. Wow! I feel like every time Bumrah is not around, Siraj has this - 'I've got to stand up' mindset and attitude. He wants the ball when the team is under pressure," said Clarke.
"I feel like he's a better bowler when there is more expectation and pressure put on his shoulders. I think he really enjoys that role in the team. Fifer in the second innings, just to keep it going," he further remarked.