RCB and India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has defended Jasprit Bumrah amid ongoing discussions about his workload. Ahead of the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Bumrah was slated to play only three of the five matches, which he did, as the series ended 2-2. Despite this, debates over his workload persisted.
Recently, Bhuvneshwar spoke about Bumrah’s decision on the YouTube show Talk with Manvendra, stating:
“Look, considering how many years Jasprit Bumrah has been playing and competing in all formats, it is tough for anyone to sustain that. And with the kind of bowling action Bumrah has, injuries can happen to him or to anyone. I think with the kind of consistency Bumrah has shown recently, I had no problem with him playing three out of five matches.”
“Because, as a selector, if you know what he can offer the team and what his abilities are, and the selectors were okay with him playing three out of five matches, it is because they know what he can provide even in those three games. I think if the team knows that a player might not play all five matches but will still contribute significantly in three, that should be okay.”
“People do not always understand how tough it is. It is actually very tough to keep playing continuously for so many years across all three formats. And it is not like Bumrah bowls in easy situations, he is always bowling in tough situations, which brings both mental and physical pressure. If you want a player to have a long career, you have to manage them somehow. I was okay with that,” he added.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar Hails Jasprit Bumrah As An Exceptional Talent
During the discussion, Bhuvneshwar Kumar remarked that Jasprit Bumrah’s exceptional talent was clear from his debut. He also reflected on how Bumrah has developed over the years, saying:
“When Jasprit Bumrah first came in, he already had the skill. Everyone knew it because even before he played a few matches, during practice, everyone could see that there was something special in him. Honestly, skill-wise, nothing has changed. He was as good back then as he is now. But somewhere along the way, when you play for so many years and perform well, that confidence level comes in.”
“And when you know you are a core part of the team and have even captained it, you carry that confidence that if a series or match goes wrong, you do not get too worried, unlike a newcomer. Once established, you have that freedom. He has also developed the maturity that comes with age. I think he was always special, and now, the way he is performing shows how you can convert talent into results on the ground,” he added.
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