Veteran spinner R Ashwin has expressed his support for Jasprit Bumrah’s exclusion from the playing XI in the fifth and final Test of the India vs England series. Despite the match being crucial, Ashwin believes the decision aligns with a prior agreement between the team management and Bumrah.
According to Ashwin, Bumrah was only expected to participate in three out of the five Tests. The star pacer featured in the first four matches, and his absence in the last one stirred debates among fans and experts. However, Ashwin emphasized that Bumrah’s long-term fitness is more important.
“I am pleasantly surprised because if this were the Indian team of the past, they would have persuaded Bumrah to play the final Test. Even now, the team management might have looked at it, but from Bumrah’s perspective, this is a sound decision. He had already decided that he was going to play only three Tests, and he stuck to that,” Ashwin said on YouTube.
Ravichandran Ashwin admired Bumrah’s commitment to managing his workload and sticking to a pre-planned strategy. The decision, he felt, showed a mature approach to team selection and fitness management. In earlier times, players might have been pushed to take the field despite being fatigued or injury-prone, but the current approach prioritizes health and sustainability.
Ashwin Highlights Bumrah’s Back Issues and Long-Term Importance
Ashwin also addressed the seriousness of Jasprit Bumrah’s back injury, which had sidelined him from international cricket for nearly two years. He stressed the importance of preserving Bumrah’s fitness for future challenges, stating that his presence is crucial to India’s long-term plans in all formats. Resting him for one match might be a small sacrifice, but it protects one of India’s most valuable assets.
“His back issue is not a normal one. It has kept him out of the game for almost two years. He is a valuable asset to the Indian team. So, the decision is the right one, and I am pleasantly surprised. I am very happy that Bumrah is prioritizing his body because in the long run, he will be very useful,” Ashwin added.
Ashwin Defends Kuldeep Yadav’s Non-Selection
Besides commenting on Bumrah, Ashwin also discussed Kuldeep Yadav’s absence from the playing XI. He believes that expecting Kuldeep to lead the attack in English conditions is unfair, especially when seamers are expected to dominate.
“There is no need to add pressure on Kuldeep’s shoulder. People should understand that Kuldeep is going to play the role of the fourth seamer. He is not going to be your strike bowler. In these conditions, the fast bowlers will be your strike bowlers,” he said.
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