‘One can’t say if he’ll bowl again’- Mohammed Siraj slams Jasprit Bumrah’s critics for workload management in England series

Mohammed Siraj played all five tests in England, while Jasprit Bumrah played only three.

Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj has lashed out at Jasprit Bumrah’s critics for slamming him for skipping two matches in England during the recently finished five-match series between the two teams to manage his workload. Siraj played in all five games of the 2025 Andeson-Tendulkar Trophy, although Bumrah only appeared in three.

Bumrah took 14 wickets in three tests, including two five-wicket hauls, but India did not win any of them. Meanwhile, Siraj was the only pacer on both teams to bowl in all ten innings and finished with the most wickets (23 wickets) as the Shubman Gill-led side drew the series 2-2, with a five-for in each of the triumphs at Edgbaston and the Oval.

“Bumrah bhai doesn’t worry about outside opinion”- Mohammed Siraj

The pacer himself called his new-ball partner the backbone of the Indian team, even though many people made fun of Bumrah by pointing out Siraj’s workload. The 31-year-old urged supporters to realize the direness of the situation and that Bumrah might never play again if he sustains another injury.

“Bumrah bhai doesn’t worry about outside opinion. He had a serious back injury and a big surgery. Had he bowled in that match, one can’t say whether he would have bowled again or not if he had broken down. It’s that serious. That injury is very sensitive. His bowling action is very difficult.

“He is such a important bowler for India and his availability is so important — from Asia Cup to next year’s World Cup and so on. Indian fans should understand that he is the backbone of the team and be rest assured that whenever possible, he will definitely play. Jassi bhai took the perfect decision,” said Siraj in an interaction with The Indian Express.

Mohammed Siraj was rested for the Asia Cup T20 competition, while Bumrah was part of the tournament-winning Indian team. Both recently played for the Indian team in the first test of the two-match series against the West Indies.

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