Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik has warned against playing Jasprit Bumrah in the upcoming white-ball series after a long gap in the ongoing two-match Test series against South Africa.
Karthik made a bold suggestion while commentating on the second day of the second and final Test between India and South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
Jasprit Bumrah bowled the most overs in the first South African innings.
Jasprit Bumrah bowled the most overs – 32 in the first innings – and took two wickets on a very calm track, which provided little help to the bowlers.
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While India’s other bowlers were struggling to make breakthroughs, stand-in captain Rishabh Pant repeatedly called Bumrah back into the attack, highlighting the bowler’s ongoing workload and reliance on him.
During his spell on the second day, where he bowled hard on a calm track, Karthik revealed that after such a long and demanding Test series, it will be difficult for Bumrah to play immediately in the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa starting on November 30 in Ranchi.
Dinesh Karthik suggests resting Jasprit Bumrah for the ODI series against South Africa
The commentator believes that India will rest Bumrah for the ODI series, keeping in mind the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, giving him a chance to recover and focus on the five-match T20I series. Last month too, the star fast bowler missed the ODI series in Australia but returned for the T20I series.
Karthik feels the team management will take the same approach for the home series against South Africa to manage the workload of India’s premier pace bowler, as well as keep him fresh and ready for the high-intensity T20Is at home and in Sri Lanka ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Dinesh Karthik said on air, “I don’t think he will play the ODI series like this after the Test match. He will play in the T20 series. But for the ODI series, I don’t think he will play. He will put his hands up and say, thank you. That’s a lot of bowling for a guy.”
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Jasprit Bumrah focuses on performance and fitness amid criticism of “picking games”
Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah has been heavily criticized for his pick and choose of games, especially against England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy after playing only three Tests, with some questioning his commitment. However, since then he has been busy with India across all formats.
The star pacer participated in the Asia Cup 2025, played two Tests against West Indies, five T20Is against Australia and now two Tests against South Africa on home soil. During the second Test in Guwahati, Bumrah showed frustration when repeatedly asked about his workload.
He stressed that he is focusing on performance and taking care of his body. “I try to give my best in whatever format I play. These questions are not my questions; I will not answer them. I try to play as much as possible. I try to take care of my body,” Bumrah said during the post-day press conference in Guwahati.
Notably, at stumps, India were at 9/0 and trailing South Africa by 480 runs in the ongoing second and final Test in Guwahati. Kuldeep Yadav was the best bowler against the Proteas team with four wickets, while Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja took two wickets each.