Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has publicly defended Jasprit Bumrah rotation policy during the England Test series, countering criticism from former players. The star bowler had opted out of two Tests in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, sparking debate among fans and ex-cricketers.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar had confirmed before the tour that Bumrah would feature in only three of the five matches to manage his workload. The move was designed to preserve his form and fitness across all formats. Bumrah took 14 wickets in those three appearances, though India failed to win any of those games. However, under Shubman Gill leadership, India sealed a thrilling victory in the series finale, ending the contest at 2-2.
Why Bhuvneshwar Believes Bumrah’s Plan Was Justified
Speaking on the Cricket Stories Podcast, Bhuvneshwar highlighted the physical and mental toll of fast bowling at the highest level.
“Considering how many years Bumrah has been playing and competing in all formats, it is tough for anyone to sustain that. Given the kind of bowling action Bumrah has, injuries can happen to him or anyone. I had no problem with him playing three out of five matches,” Bhuvneshwar said.
The senior bowler emphasised that selectors backed the plan because Bumrah could still influence the outcome in three matches.
“If the selectors know what he can offer and are comfortable with it, it is because they know he can still make a big impact in those three games. If a player might not play all five matches but can contribute significantly in three, that should be acceptable – people do not always understand how tough it is to keep playing for so many years across formats.
There is pressure as well. If you want someone to play for long, you have to manage him well. So, I did not have any problem.”
Ex-Captains Call for Skipping IPL Instead
Former India captains Mohammad Azharuddin and Dilip Vengsarkar were among the most vocal critics of the decision. Vengsarkar told The Times of India that missing the IPL would have been better than skipping crucial Test matches.
Despite the controversy, Mohammed Siraj stepped up as the lead pacer, collecting 22 wickets across all five matches. Reports suggest Bumrah will be back for the Asia Cup T20 beginning 9 September. His availability for the home Tests against the West Indies in October and South Africa in November is still under discussion.
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