Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed confusion over Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management, according to Times of India. Manjrekar highlighted concerns about Bumrah’s commitment to the Indian cricket team following his latest break from international play.
What happened
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar voiced concerns about star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah’s international availability following his decision to skip the upcoming T20I tours of Ireland and England. The fast bowler was recently named in India’s 15-member squad for the Asian Games in Japan, where Shreyas Iyer will captain the team in September. However, Bumrah has been rested after playing 13 matches for the Mumbai Indians during IPL 2026.
While addressing the media on Sony Sports Network, Manjrekar questioned the trajectory of Bumrah’s career and suggested that the bowler could have handled the demands of a short T20I assignment. “Bumrah is somebody; I’m just confused about how his career is going in terms of his availability,” Manjrekar said. He noted that Bumrah’s selective participation in matches raised questions about his commitment to the national team.
Why it matters
The discussion surrounding Bumrah’s workload management is significant for Indian cricket, particularly as the team prepares for key international tournaments. Manjrekar’s comments underscore the potential implications of Bumrah’s limited availability, which could impact the team’s performance and selection for upcoming series.
Background
On May 20, 2025, Bumrah declined the Test captaincy over workload concerns, leading selectors to appoint Shubman Gill. Since then, his participation has been closely monitored, especially as he now sits out key matches, creating opportunities for other players like Iyer and Gill to lead.
What’s next
Attention will now focus on whether Bumrah returns for India’s three-match ODI series against England following his rest for the T20I series against Ireland and England.
