Sanjay Manjrekar has stirred the ongoing discussion about Jasprit Bumrah’s workload, asserting that the star pacer should adjust to the demands of Indian cricket rather than expect the team to accommodate him. Bumrah featured in only three out of five Tests during India’s recent England tour, with the team management having already planned his limited involvement before the series began.
Despite expectations that Bumrah would play in the series decider at The Oval, he was rested and released from the squad after three games. While India managed to draw the series 2-2, Bumrah’s limited role sparked debate among fans and cricket experts alike. Former cricketer and commentator Manjrekar joined the chorus of critics, highlighting that India’s victories came in matches without Bumrah’s presence—a fact he termed “poetic justice.”
In a column for the Hindustan Times, Manjrekar emphasized that no player is indispensable. He urged selectors to make tough decisions regarding big-name stars, pointing out that India’s two wins in the series were achieved without key players like Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma, Mohammed Shami, and Bumrah himself.
“The game will always show us the mirror, however much we try and gloss over things. It was poetic justice that the two Tests India won were two matches Bumrah did not play,” Manjrekar wrote.
“This should embolden the Indian selectors to make some hard choices when it comes to big-name players… no one, however great, is indispensable. And this is how India must handle Bumrah.”
Manjrekar further argued that if Bumrah cannot consistently play more than two consecutive Tests, he should not be India’s frontline bowler.
“If he cannot play more than two matches in a row or sometimes even more than one, he must not be your frontline pick,” he said.
“Players who are match-fit, eager, and keen to perform should be preferred over a highly skilled player who is frequently unavailable. It motivates such enthusiastic players even more.”
The former cricketer also praised young bowlers Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj, who stepped up during Bumrah’s absence and contributed significantly to India’s two wins.
“This is not likely to become a pattern but it should give the selectors the courage to make hard calls on big-name players, just as they do with Kuldeep Yadav.”
On Bumrah’s long-term future, Manjrekar stressed the importance of fitness and resilience.
“The true test of a great athlete is to still turn up when not 100 percent fit and deliver,” he said.
“If Bumrah really wants to serve Indian Test cricket, longevity and durability are imperative. Indian cricket must not adjust for Bumrah; Bumrah must adjust for Indian cricket.”
“By making tough choices and working harder on his fitness, Bumrah can raise his fitness levels to those of the great fast bowlers before him.”
Bumrah took 14 wickets in the three Tests he played against England. Meanwhile, he remains in contention for the upcoming Asia Cup squad.
