“Can’t pick and choose”- Mohammad Azharuddin slams Jasprit Bumrah for workload management drama

Jasprit Bumrah only played three tests on the England tour, taking 14 wickets.

Speaking openly about Jasprit Bumrah‘s workload management, former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin urged India‘s think tank to take a more sensible stance in light of the nation’s rapidly depleting resources. According to the former captain of India, Bumrah’s availability is crucial and needs to be guaranteed in important games.

India won both of the test matches that Bumrah did not participate in the just-finished Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 against England. The pace spearhead took 14 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls, but only appeared in three of the five games—Headingley, Lord’s, and Manchester.

Speaking to Mid-Day, Azharuddin stated that both the player and the BCCI should decide if there was an injury problem. The former captain of India stated that since Bumrah is representing the nation, he ought to be able to handle his workload.

“If there is an injury issue, then the Board and the player have to decide. However, I feel once you are in the team, you can’t pick and choose your matches. There is a workload, but at this level, you have to manage it. You are playing for the country,” said Azharuddin.

Azharuddin asks what happens if Jasprit Bumrah is needed badly by the Indian team

Fortunately for India, Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep excelled in the two games that Bumrah missed and led the team to victory. If India required their best bowler, Azharuddin wondered what would happen.

“It was a different story that Siraj, along with Prasidh [Krishna] and Akash Deep, rose to the occasion, and we were fortunate that we could win without Bumrah, but what happens if India needs Bumrah badly in a particular situation?” said Azharuddin.

In his first series, Azharuddin also focused on Shubman Gill’s captaincy. Gill, who replaced Rohit Sharma for the England tour, captained a somewhat youthful team in difficult circumstances.

Having led India on two difficult tours of England in 1992 and 1996, Azharuddin is aware of the pressures of leadership in these situations.

“At the start of the tour, many were apprehensive of new captain Gill, but in the end, this young team came out with flying colors. The batters did a very good job, particularly Shubman, KL Rahul, and [Ravindra] Jadeja. Gill has started his tenure as captain on a high note,” he added.

India’s attention will now turn to their upcoming home test series, where they will play two games against the West Indies in October.

Although Gill’s leadership has given hope for the future, the controversy surrounding Bumrah’s workload management is still very much alive as India attempts to keep up their pace-bowling power in important matches.

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