Amid the recent controversy over the star fast bowler's workload management, India's Bhuvneshwar Kumar has thrown his support behind Jasprit Bumrah.
The selectors' decision to only have Bumrah play three of the five Test matches before the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy match against England generated a lot of debate. With two fifers, including one at Lord's, Bumrah took 14 wickets in three Test matches at Headingley, Lord's, and Manchester.
"Look, considering how many years Jasprit Bumrah has been playing and competing in all formats, it is tough for anyone to sustain that. And with the kind of bowling action Bumrah has, injuries can happen to him or to anyone,” Bhuvneshwar Kumar said on the podcast Talk with Manvendra.
Bumrah had broken down in the final Test in Sydney in BGT 2024-25 in Australia. He missed three months of game time, including the Champions Trophy 2025 win, and only returned in the IPL 2025.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar also defended the decision to play Bumrah in only three tests on the England tour to manage his workload.
"I had no problem with him playing three out of five matches. If the selectors know what he can offer and are okay with it, it’s because they know he can still make a big impact in those three games. If a player might not play all five matches but will contribute significantly in three, that should be okay," he added.
Bhuvneshwar highlighted the physical and mental demands Bumrah faces.
"People don’t always understand how tough it is to keep playing for so many years across formats. Bumrah is always bowling in tough situations, which brings both mental and physical pressure. If you want a player to have a long career, you have to manage them somehow,” Bhuvneshwar added.
Reflecting on Bumrah’s journey, Bhuvneshwar said, "When he first came in, everyone could see there was something special. Skill-wise, nothing has changed—he was as good back then as he is now. But with years of performance comes confidence. Once you are established, you don’t panic if things go wrong. That maturity comes with age."
Bumrah has 219 wickets in 48 Tests, 149 wickets in 89 ODIs, and 89 wickets in 70 T20Is.
