"Don’t Break Bumrah!" – Former India Cricketer’s Bold Take on Workload Debate

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra feels that Jasprit Bumrah should have the freedom to decide which matches he wants to play in the future. Bumrah was criticised recently for not featuring in all five Tests against England, as he only played three games and was rested for the last match when India were trailing 1-2, mainly to manage his workload.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra said that Bumrah doesn’t need to play every single game and that looking after his fitness is more important. He also added that this is not a question of right or wrong, but about securing Bumrah’s long-term future in the format.

"I was also reading Sanjay Manjrekar's piece. In the Hindustan Times, he wrote that the team shouldn't adjust for Bumrah and, instead, Bumrah should adjust for the team. I know there are plenty of opinions as to what should be done. I will be honest, I don't think he will play all Test matches," Chopra said.

"He is going to pick and choose. Whether it's right or wrong, it's not a moral or ethical debate, is what I think. If you have a player of that level available, play him whenever he can," he added.

Chopra urges to manage Bumrah carefully, warns against pushing him into early retirement

Chopra added that if Bumrah were a batter, this habit of playing selective matches might have caused an issue. He also requested everyone not to put too much pressure on Bumrah, as it could force him to retire earlier than expected.

"Jasprit Bumrah, as a bowler, you can adjust the bowling combination very easily. It doesn't make a difference. If Bumrah had been a batter, a No. 4 or an opener, and had said that he would play two matches and won't 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.

"There is no bowler like Bumrah. Don't push him forcibly towards early retirement because he is 24-carat pure gold. He is the Kohinoor diamond. The longer he plays, the better it is. I don't think he will play too much Test cricket, but for however long he plays, I would say hold onto it. That's just my feeling, " he added.

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