Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes Jasprit Bumrah may not play many Tests, but cautions against pushing him into early retirement.
Aakash Chopra Urges Caution Over Jasprit Bumrah’s Test Future
Former India opener Aakash Chopra has shared his thoughts on Jasprit Bumrah’s future in Test cricket, cautioning stakeholders against pushing the pacer toward early retirement. While Chopra acknowledged that Bumrah may not feature in every Test match going forward, he stressed that the star bowler’s value demands careful handling.
Jasprit Bumrah, 31, faced criticism for playing only three of the five Tests in India’s recent Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series against England. He featured in the first, third, and fourth matches, finishing with 17 wickets. India won the two Tests in which he did not play, which fueled debate over his selective appearances. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj bowled nearly 186 overs and claimed 23 wickets, showcasing his workhorse ability and prompting some former players to suggest that India should rely less on Bumrah if he cannot play all matches.
However, Chopra disagrees with this approach. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he described Bumrah as a “24-carat pure gold” and likened him to the Kohinoor diamond. He argued that a player of Bumrah’s caliber deserves the freedom to pick and choose his matches, adding that his selective participation does not diminish his value. “There is no bowler like Bumrah. Don’t push him forcibly towards early retirement. The longer he plays, the better it is,” Chopra said.
Chopra also emphasized that the decision to play Bumrah selectively is not a moral or ethical issue but a strategic one. “I don’t think he will play all the Test matches. He is going to pick and choose. If you have a player of that level available, play him whenever he can,” he added.
In essence, while Jasprit Bumrah may not be a constant in India’s Test XI, Chopra believes his talent and impact remain indispensable, and careful management of his workload is crucial to prolonging one of India’s finest bowling careers.
‘Bowlers need to be rotated’
Former India opener Aakash Chopra has called for a cautious and flexible approach regarding Jasprit Bumrah’s future in Test cricket. While the pacer may not feature in every match, Chopra emphasized that pushing him toward early retirement would be a mistake, given his value to the team.
Bumrah, 31, played only three of the five Tests in India’s recent Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series against England, finishing with 17 wickets. India won the two Tests he missed, which sparked criticism from some quarters. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj shouldered the workload with 186 overs and 23 wickets, prompting debates about whether India should rely less on Bumrah if he cannot play all matches.
Chopra urged a more flexible approach, noting that the situation would be different if Bumrah were a batter. “If Bumrah had been a batter, a No. 4 or an opener, and had said that he would play two matches and not play after that, then it’s a problem. Bowlers need to be rotated in any case in a series of three or four Tests,” he said. He added that as a bowler, Bumrah’s selective appearances allow the team management to adjust the bowling combination without affecting continuity.
Describing Bumrah as a “24-carat pure gold” and likening him to the Kohinoor diamond, Chopra stressed that the No.1-ranked Test bowler deserves the freedom to pick and choose matches. “The longer he plays, the better it is. If you have a player of that level available, play him whenever he can,” he added.
According to the Indian Express, Jasprit Bumrah has made himself available for the upcoming Asia Cup, starting September 9. The All India Men’s Senior Selection Committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, will finalize the squad on Tuesday, August 19, in Mumbai.