'Jasprit Bumrah Should Focus On White-Ball Cricket': India Told To Rest Pacer For Home Tests – News18

Jasprit Bumrah’s workload remained a prime topic of debate during India’s recent tour of England. India remained stuck to their plan of playing Bumrah in just three of the five Tests of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy as the pace spearhead was rested from the series-decider at The Oval even though the team was trailing 1-2.
Bumrah was released from the squad with a report later claiming that he has picked up a knee-injury.
With the conclusion of the England tour, the team will return to action at the Asia Cup after a one-month break but a former India cricketer, who has seen Bumrah from close quarters wants the world’s top-ranked Test cricketer to focus only on white-ball cricket for now.
Given his history with injuries, India have been advised that Bumrah should be kept fresh for major white-ball tournaments including the T20 World Cup next year and the ODI World Cup in 2027.
“There is no question on the value that he brings to the side. But the management and board need to discuss how to use him – as an all format bowler or should he be asked to concentrate only on one or two formats,” the former player was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
India’s next Test assignment will begin in the first week of October when they host West Indies followed by another series against South Africa at home. Indian playing conditions have traditionally favoured spinners and hence the ex-cricketers feels that Bumrah will anyway not be required.
” (Mohammed) Siraj, Akash Deep and Prasidh (Krishna) have shown us that they can win Tests for India. Let’s back them fully. We have two important tournaments (T20 and ODI WC) coming our way, and we need Bumrah ready for them. For home matches (vs West Indies, SA), we have Washi and Kuldeep along with Jadeja, and Bumrah’s role will not be that big here,” he said.
“So, if you ask me, he should be asked to focus more on white ball formats for now as there are enough T20s and one-dayers for him to play in the next two years. Yeah, IPL too is there. It’s better to have him play all matches in one format rather than him playing a few matches in all formats. It adds value to the team,” he added.
Notably, Bumrah’s last appearance in a white-ball match at the international level was the final of the T20 World Cup last year while he hasn’t played an ODI in nearly two years now.

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