Jasprit Bumrah played three Tests in England, taking 14 wickets.
The controversy erupted after the Indian team management announced that Bumrah would play only three tests on the recent tour of England. He played in Leeds, Lord’s, and Manchester and was released ahead of the fifth Test at the Oval, having completed his quota.
Burmah picked 14 wickets in the three Tests he played, taking two five-wicket hauls, including one at the Mecca of cricket, the Lord’s.
India's larger plan to preserve the fitness of its top fast bowler and prolong his career included Bumrah's limited participation. Even still, some former cricket players continue to criticize him and wonder why he wasn't included in the starting lineup.
Bumrah's incapacity to manage the burden of five Test matches "hasn't gone down too well with the powers that be in the BCCI," according to a PTI report, which also suggested that the BCCI may crack down on players "picking and choosing" matches.
Bharat Arun, who was at the helm as bowling coach of the Indian team when Jasprit Bumrah rose to prominence, has emphasized the severity of Bumrah’s back injury. Bumrah underwent surgery in 2022 for a back stress fracture and, most recently, missed three months of cricket in 2025, including the ICC Champions Trophy, as his issues flared up again.
“It’s so sad to hear about this stuff against Bumrah. He has had a serious surgery, and people should understand it is not as if the surgery is done and he is all good forever. No, this is far more serious stuff on his back now,” Arun told the Indian Express.
Arun mentioned the words ‘picking and choosing’ specifically, highlighting the double standards against Bumrah.
“It’s not picking and choosing. Just a few months back, he was hailed as the world’s greatest fast bowler in Australia, and now, he is being criticized unfairly. Did he underperform in the three tests? Two fifers he took,” said Arun.
The announcement that Bumrah would only play three of the five Test matches was made solely to protect him from criticism, he added.
"Why do you think it was announced way before the series itself that he would play 3 tests? Precisely to stop this kind of nonsense. Not for the world to fall to temptation and say, "Play him," as this test is crucial … His body is like that now. We have to be careful and understand how hard this entire effort is and what a great feat it is for him to do what he is doing—playing for India through all this,” said the former bowling coach.
Bumrah now has more than a month to rest, and it will be interesting to see which next international assignment he plays for India. The Asia Cup 2025 begins on 9 September in T20 format in the UAE, and it remains to be seen whether Bumrah will be part of the Indian squad for the same.