Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan has questioned the Indian team management for their decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test against England at Edgbaston after having a week off from action.
The visitors made a host of changes for the match with Bumrah being the big name missing. The plan was always going to make the ace pacer play three Tests and India coach Gautam Gambhir had said that it won't be altered despite the loss in the series opener at Headingley.
However, Pathan wasn't in favour of resting Bumrah for the match, which is important in the context of the series.
While speaking on Sony Sports, when asked about Bumrah, Pathan said one can’t pick and choose matches, citing workload management.
“If you are selected for the Indian team, then because of the workload, you cannot pick and choose. There is a reason for that. If you pick and choose, I know there is no bowler like Bumrah. Bumrah is a number one world-class bowler, but there is no injury here. There is workload management here. Because of workload management, if you pick and choose, then what happens? Akash Deep comes in. You expect that Akash Deep will do wonders. Maybe he will. But any bowler takes time. Continuity is very important. That continuity will not come. So overall, in a larger picture, I believe we have to start thinking as Indian cricket. Start thinking of playing without Bumrah and Shami. According to that, you should plan in Test cricket. See, Jasprit Bumrah—there are 5 Test matches overseas. If my main fast bowler is not playing 5 Test matches, then I am at a loss. So I don’t have Bumrah’s services in all matches. And the other young boy who is playing will only get a chance when Bumrah is not playing. Then he will not get stability," Pathan said.
“After this, when is the 5-match Test series being played overseas? This is not happening in this (2025-27) WTC cycle. There are 2 (Tests) in New Zealand. 2 (Tests) in Sri Lanka. There is no other overseas series. So this was the series where you had to play. If you don’t play, then it is not good for the team. This is what I believe. I totally understand the niggles, but injury can be a concern in the future, and that’s why you have to manage workload. If you pick and choose because of that, then that means Indian cricket is not getting the complete benefit," he added.
Ever since Bumrah sustained a back spasm in the Sydney Test against Australia, the team management has been extra careful about managing his workload.
As a result of that injury, the right-arm quick missed the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the initial few matches of the IPL 2025 season for Mumbai Indians.
Ahead of the England series, Bumrah revealed that he himself requested the BCCI not to consider him for Test captaincy after Rohit Sharma's retirement, as he would not be able to play all five Tests against England due to workload management.
