The logic behind Jasprit Bumrah picking and choosing games to play in is reportedly a part of a plan to extend his playing career as long as possible. After making a comeback in IPL 2025 post recovery from a back injury he sustained towards the end of Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the selectors and the pacer mutually agreed that he would only play 3 out 5 matches in the IND vs ENG Test series. While reports claimed that the BCCI won’t tolerate workload management excuses in the future, a new report has now provided a contrasting take.
Why Bumrah is being selective in matches to play in?
As per The Indian Express, BCCI sources reportedly claimed that it was not the case of Bumrah picking and choosing matches but was a common decision to allow the player to extend his playing career. The report claims that the team management firmly believes that he must be given adequate rest between assignments in order to prevent setbacks in the future.
“Sources in the Indian cricket board have affirmed that it is not a case of Bumrah ‘picking and choosing’ matches he wants to play, but rather a common decision arrived at to allow the star pacer to extend his playing career as long as possible,” the report stated.
While a Hindustan Times report claimed that Bumrah was available for Asia Cup 2025, this report says so otherwise. The report states that a call on his participation in the 8-nation tournament will be taken based on the inputs provided by the BCCI medical team. The report further states that the team management wants Bumrah to be available for important tournaments and ICC events.
“There is a threshold for everyone and with Bumrah, it is a unique situation. It’s not just the case of the bowling coach or the support staff seeing a red flag and resting him for a match. The medical staff is also involved and when a player like Bumrah – who can win games on his own – is available, everything is being done to protect him,” sources told The Indian Express.
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