Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management drew him a lot of flak during the recently held Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
Despite the scrutiny, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar on Tuesday (August 19) stated that the way star quick is handled will not be changed as they want him "available for all the big games."
Bumrah has been named in India's 15-member T20I squad for the Asia Cup 2025, slated to start on September 9 in the UAE.
“I don't think there is any written plan at the moment. Obviously, there has been a nice break after the England series. The team management or the physios or people concerned are always in touch. It's not just now, and even before his injury, we tried to look after him because we know how valuable he is,” said Agakar during the press meet to announce India's squad for the continental showpiece.
"Clearly, we want him available for all the big games. I know in international cricket, every game is a big game. But there are World Cups, there is Champion Trophy or big series like England or Australia. We want him available all the time.
"Most fast bowlers are monitored and yes, because he has picked up an injury over the last 2-3 years. It's extra attention on how unique and how special he is and it won't change. It won't change whether it's this series or in the next six months," Agarkar added.
The Indian team management had confirmed before the England tour that Bumrah would only participate in three of the five Tests.
He 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, the No.1-ranked Test bowler 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.
There were some doubts on Jasprit Bumrah's availability for the Asia Cup largely due to the proximity to the home Test series against the West Indies in October.
But the selectors decided to pick him, and Agarkar said Bumrah's selection for future events will depend on his body condition at that time.
"As we go along, how he is feeling, when we require him as a team, which is probably the most important thing and along with the physios and the trainers, those things are monitored. We hope that he is available more often than not," he remarked.
(With PTI Inputs)
