Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan shared his perspective on premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s workload ahead of the 2025 Asia Cup. Bumrah, who featured in the England series, has also been included in India’s squad for the upcoming multi-nation event. Speaking to Revsportz, Irfan clarified that his remarks were never intended to question Bumrah’s commitment or attitude.
Since the speedster played only three of the five Tests against England, discussions have intensified regarding his workload management and the perception of him ‘choosing’ which matches to participate in. Pathan agreed that managing workload is crucial for a bowler of Bumrah’s stature but stressed that such decisions should not interfere with an ongoing game.
He pointed out that mid-match considerations of workload could negatively impact the team’s chances of securing a favorable result.
“People think I question his attitude, but I don’t. He prioritizes Test cricket, especially after his back injury. My point is, once on the field, you must give your all. Bowling only five-six overs won’t get the desired result,” he said.
Jasprit Bumrah delivered shorter spells during the Lord’s Test and refrained from bowling additional overs despite Joe Root being at the crease, a move that ultimately proved costly as India went down by 22 runs.
“We will manage his workload but even at an important time like the Lord’s Test, if we look to manage workload, how will the result come? You can push it at the time when it is needed. The recovery and management can happen after the game. If you are playing just three games and in that also you bowl just few overs in a spell, it gets difficult for the team,” he added.
Irfan Pathan Slams In-Game Workload Management For Bumrah
Irfan Pathan praised Jasprit Bumrah as a unique talent and a national treasure, highlighting his skills and growth since NCA days, but stressed such workload management shouldn’t happen during a game like the Lord’s Test.
“During a coaching course at the NCA, I saw his clear progression after the back injury. The recovery process is well planned, but such a process cannot be followed during a game,” he reflected.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
