Team India’s former head coach Ravi Shastri shared his views on the ongoing discussion regarding the workload of veteran fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. The cricketer turned commentator took a dig at head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar and said that it is important to have brains to use Bumrah properly.
Known for his ability to change the course of a match even in difficult situations, Bumrah is one of India’s most valuable players. He played only three Tests in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England and the debate over his workload has intensified. This fast bowler was rested from the ODI series against South Africa.
One should have wisdom even to take Jasprit Bumrah – Ravi Shastri
Ravi Shastri said that the team management and selectors should be conscious about the workload of Jasprit Bumrah. He questioned previous decisions which had initially established Bumrah as primarily a white-ball bowler.
“Bumrah is a Dada bowler. Bumrah to pick bhi akal ho should ho na. (To use Bumrah, you must have brains). You made him a white-ball bowler, so how did he become a red-ball bowler?” Shastri said on Prabhat Khabar.
Shastri played an important role in Bumrah’s Test debut during his coaching tenure. Before Bumrah made his red-ball debut, many believed that his unorthodox action was only suitable for white-ball formats and would not hold up in Test matches. However, Bumrah proved those doubts wrong with his performance.
Jasprit Bumrah ready to return for South Africa T20I
The Indian management had already planned that Jasprit Bumrah would play only three Tests against England. After that series, Bumrah has been available for almost every assignment except the ODI series against Australia and South Africa.
He has played all four home Tests against the West Indies and South Africa, as well as the Asia Cup and T20Is against Australia. After a short break following the minor Test match in South Africa, he is set to return for the five-match T20I series against the Proteas starting on December 9.
The first T20 will be played at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack. Notably, India will begin its final preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj rested for South Africa ODI
The selectors picked a young and inexperienced pace attack like Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna for the ongoing ODI series against South Africa. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have been rested after the 0-2 defeat in the Test series, while Hardik Pandya is still recovering from injury.
The fast bowlers defeated South Africa 11–3 in the first ODI, but they could not maintain control on batting-friendly pitches under heavy dew. Their struggles continued in the second ODI, where the trio gave away 209 runs in 28.2 overs as South Africa successfully chased down 359.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj made a comeback to domestic cricket and took 1-15 in Hyderabad’s win over Jammu and Kashmir at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
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