Jasprit Bumrah featured in only three of the five Tests during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025.
Former India pacer Balwinder Singh Sandhu has supported Jasprit Bumrah decision to manage his workload, even as the fast bowler faced criticism from fans and ex-cricketers for selectively playing matches in the England vs India series.
Before the tour began, Jasprit Bumrah had informed the management that he would participate in just three Tests to avoid excessive strain and reduce the risk of injuries. Staying true to that plan, he skipped the decisive fifth Test at The Oval—a must-win game for India to level the series.
Balwinder Singh Sandhu Backs Jasprit Bumrah on Workload Concerns
Former India pacer and 1983 World Cup winner Balwinder Singh Sandhu has come out in support of Jasprit Bumrah’s stance on workload management. Writing in his column for Midday, Sandhu stressed that fast bowlers face undue criticism compared to batters when they take breaks.
“In the last seven years, how many batsmen have gone without injury breaks? How many have opted out of a series quietly? Nobody questions them. But when it comes to a fast bowler, everyone seems ready to pounce. The truth is – fast bowling is brutal,” Sandhu wrote.
Highlighting statistics, he pointed out that Jasprit Bumrah has averaged just 3.2 rest days for every day played over the past seven years. In comparison, Mohammed Siraj averaged 3.5 and Mohammed Shami 3.7. “And remember, both Bumrah and Shami have also missed matches due to injuries. That only makes these numbers more striking,” he added.
Jasprit Bumrah recently suffered an injury after playing all five Tests in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25, which ruled him out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The senior pacer is now set to return in the Asia Cup 2025, where he will lead India’s pace attack. Under captain Suryakumar Yadav, India are placed in Group A and will begin their campaign against the UAE on September 10.