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Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar dismissed worries about Jasprit Bumrah's workload during the ongoing series against Australia. Notably, Bumrah has taken 12 wickets at an average of 11.25 and an economy of 2.50 in two games, making him the highest wicket-taker across both teams in the series thus far. But in the Australian innings of the second Test, he had a near-injury scare when he pulled up his adductor muscle. After receiving care from the team's physiotherapist, the seamer stood up and resumed his stint, much to the pleasure of India. Bumrah appeared quite exhausted later in the second innings, as evidenced by his 120s in the lone over he bowled, raising questions about his workload.
Sanjay Manjrekar on Jasprit Bumrah
Manjrekar demanded that Bumrah should also play in all remaining matches in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as Indian cricket team takes good care of the star pacer. The former player highlighted that Bumrah has only played 34% of India's games in the last three years.
"I play him every Test match purely because Indian cricket takes care of Bumrah. And I've said this before as well, the number is etched in my head. 34% of international matches that India have played in the last three years is what Bumrah has played. Only 34% of what Indian cricket has played. So he's well rested. And this is when you need, because these are the series that will be remembered forever. Give him a break in one of those bilaterals that we forget 48 hours later," Manjrekar told ESPNCricinfo.
Bumrah's run since 2022
India has participated in 165 games in all formats since 2022, with Bumrah appearing in 47 of those games. As a result, the speedster has only participated in 28.48% of India's international games over the last three years, including more than ten months of time off due to a back stress fracture.
Bumrah has participated in 17 of the 28 Test matches that India has played since 2022, or 60% of the total. As a result, the figures indicate that the speedster has had adequate rest. Bumrah, however, enters the series fresh off a busy home calendar in which he participated in four of the five Test matches. With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 also approaching, India may want to exercise prudence when using their speed stalwart.
