Former South African star AB de Villiers has come out strongly in support of India’s selectors and captain Ajit Agarkar’s proactive planning around Jasprit Bumrah.
As India prepares for the Asia Cup 2025, de Villiers believes that fans should not expect Bumrah to play every single match, stressing that workload management is the key to keeping India’s strike bowler fresh for big games.
Don’t Panic, Bumrah Won’t Play All Matches”
In his latest YouTube video, de Villiers addressed the growing chatter among fans and experts who feel Bumrah should feature in every Asia Cup clash. The ex-Proteas skipper disagreed, saying:
“I don’t think he will play all the games. That’s the smart way to handle senior players. He will be ready for the matches that really matter.”
De Villiers, who himself played more than 400 international matches, pointed out that today’s cricketers face tight schedules and non-stop tournaments, making player management as important as team selection.
Why Agarkar’s Selection Strategy Stands Out
The Indian selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, have already shown intent by resting Bumrah in phases during the England Test series earlier this year. That move, although questioned by some, is now being praised by international legends like de Villiers.
According to him, it’s a sign of a forward-thinking selection panel that values quality over quantity. “Many selectors ignore workload, especially once a player crosses 30. But Agarkar’s team has been proactive. It’s not about how many games you play, but how well you play when the team needs you most,” de Villiers explained.
The big advantage for India is their bench strength. Even if Bumrah skips a few matches, India’s pace attack looks strong with names like Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Hardik Pandya offering variety.
Add to that the brilliance of Kuldeep Yadav, who de Villiers described as “a bold yet very smart bowler,” and India seems well covered in both pace and spin. This depth allows the team to rotate Bumrah without losing balance.
Bumrah’s Fitness Is Precious
At 31, Jasprit Bumrah is no longer a newcomer to international cricket. He has already faced injury challenges in the past, and India can’t afford to risk him before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the Test series against Australia later this year.
By ensuring he doesn’t bowl in every Asia Cup game, the selectors are giving him the best chance to stay fit for longer tournaments. For fans, this means fewer Bumrah spells in the short term—but potentially more match-winning spells in crucial knockout games.
Here are Jasprit Bumrah’s T20 International (T20I) performance stats from his last 20 matches.
| Year | Matches (Innings) | Overs | Runs Conceded | Wickets | Economy Rate | Bowling Average | Strike Rate | Best Bowling (BBI) | Dot Ball % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 | 18.4 | 95 | 7 | 5.09 | 13.6 | 16.0 | 2/10 | 64.3% |
| 2022 | 5 | 16.0 | 126 | 4 | 7.88 | 31.5 | 24.0 | 2/10 | 42.7% |
| 2023 | 2 | 8.0 | 39 | 4 | 4.88 | 9.8 | 12.0 | 2/15 | 70.8% |
| 2024 | 8 | 29.4 | 124 | 15 | 4.18 | 8.3 | 11.9 | 3/7 | 62.4% |
| Total | 20 | 72.2 | 384 | 30 | 5.31 | 12.8 | 14.5 | 3/7 | 59.4% |
In Shorts:
AB de Villiers’s comments remind fans that modern cricket is a marathon, not a sprint. Protecting players like Bumrah doesn’t mean India is being defensive—it means they’re being smart and proactive. Ajit Agarkar’s panel deserves credit for looking at the bigger picture.
So, when India’s Asia Cup campaign begins, don’t be surprised if Bumrah sits out a game or two. It’s not a sign of weakness—it’s part of a well-thought-out plan to unleash him when the stakes are at their highest.
