Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin thinks Bumrah must manage workload differently when his country needs him. The cricket legend wants a better balance between rest and national duty commitments.
Why Azharuddin Questions Bumrah’s Approach
Azharuddin watched India lose important matches when Bumrah skipped games during the England series. The fast bowler played only three out of five Test matches there.
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Even though Bumrah took 14 wickets and ranked fourth among bowlers, his impact was huge. He grabbed a five-wicket haul and a four-wicket haul when he actually played.
“If there is an injury issue, then the Board and the player have to decide. However, I feel once you are in the team, you can’t pick and choose your matches. There is a workload, but at this level, you must manage it. You are playing for the country,” Azharuddin said.
Azharuddin praised other bowlers like Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep for stepping up. But he still believes Bumrah must manage workload better for crucial series like this.
“It was a different story that Siraj, along with Prasidh and Akash Deep, rose to the occasion, and we were fortunate that we could win without Bumrah, but what happens if India needs Bumrah badly in a particular situation?,” he added.
The former captain thinks players shouldn’t pick and choose matches at the international level. When your country calls, you should answer unless you’re genuinely injured or sick.
What Other Cricket Experts Think
Azharuddin isn’t alone in having these concerns about India’s star fast bowler recently. Former BCCI selector Sandeep Patil and legend Sunil Gavaskar share similar thoughts about this issue.
These cricket veterans understand that Bumrah must manage workload to avoid serious injuries. But they also want him available when India faces tough situations abroad.
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The debate highlights a tricky balance that modern cricket creates for fast bowlers. They need rest to stay healthy, but teams struggle without their best players.
Praise for Young Captain Gill
Azharuddin had good things to say about the new captain, Shubman Gill, during recent comments. He thinks Gill handled the pressure of leading a young team in England brilliantly.
“At the start of the tour, many were apprehensive of new captain Gill, but in the end, this young team came out with flying colours. The batters did a very good job, particularly Shubman, KL Rahul, and Jadeja. Gill has started his tenure as captain on a high note,” Azharuddin stated.
The former Indian captain believes Gill changed people’s negative opinions about the team’s abilities. Leading India to competitive results in England wasn’t easy for someone so young.
This leadership experience will help Gill become an even better captain in future series.
