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India's spin legend Harbhajan Singh has openly criticised the Indian team management for mismanaging Jasprit Bumrah during just concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-2025. Harbhajan feels that Indian Team management is responsible for Jasprit Bumrah's injury during Sydney Test. Bumrah sustained back spasms during the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia at the SCG.
Jasprit Bumrah's injury concerns ahead of Champions Trophy
Bumrah's injury came just ahead of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and it might disrupt India's preparations for the marquee tournament. With the tournament set to kick off from February 19, the uncertainty surrounding Bumrah's participation in only growing with no concrete update on his injury as yet. Bumrah was the leading wicket-taker in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as he pocketed a total of 32 scalps across five matches. However, his absence from the final Test in Sydney after his left the field for scans midway through the match, resulted in India's six-wicket defeat which only highlighted the team's over-reliance on him.
Bumrah single-handedly shoulder India's bowling attack in the Test series against Australia. His relentless workload during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, exceeding 150 overs, forced him to withdraw from the second innings of the Sydney Test. His availability for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 now remains uncertain.
Harbhajan Singh blames Indian Team management for Jasprit Bumrah's injury
“He was used like you squeezed juice from sugarcane. It was like, ‘Travis Head has come; give the ball to Bumrah. Marnus has come; give the ball to Bumrah. Steve Smith has come; give the ball to Bumrah.’ How many overs will Bumrah bowl?,” Harbhajan Singh said on his YouTube channel.
“He has been reduced to such a condition that he was not available at the end. If he had been there, Australia may have won the fifth Test, but they would have lost eight wickets; it would have been tough for them. You broke his back, and the management should have decided on how many overs he should be given,” he added.
The extent of Bumrah's back injury remains uncertain, casting doubt on his participation in the upcoming white-ball series against England and the Champions Trophy 2025. A mild injury (Grade 1) would require two to three weeks of recovery, allowing Bumrah to potentially return to action. However, a Grade 2 injury could necessitate up to six weeks of rehabilitation. In the worst-case scenario, a Grade 3 injury could sideline him for three months, effectively ruling him out of the tournament. The Indian team management is closely monitoring Bumrah's progress.
Harbhajan also came down heavily on the team's selection decisions for the fifth Test at the SCG. He questioned their decision to field two spinners, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, on a green and pace-friendly pitch..
“It is beyond my understanding that despite playing so much cricket and watching so much cricket, you do not understand such a small thing… what to do on such a pitch,” Harbhajan concluded.
India's next assignment will be the white-ball series against England which is set to start from January 22. The series will comprise of five T20Is followed by three ODIs. However, it remains to be seen whether Bumrah's injury will hinder his availability for the series or he will achieve full fitness by then.
