Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has expressed concerns after it has been reported that Jasprit Bumrah would miss the second Test match against England. Bumrah is all set to be rested for the second Test to manage his workload.
The Indian pack leader returned with impressive figures of 5-83 in 24.4 overs he bowled in the first innings of the opening Test at Leeds, Headingley. But the ace pacer went wicketless in the second innings after he bowled 19 overs.
India’s team management has already revealed that Bumrah would play only three out of the five Test matches in the series.
“Jasprit Bumrah will not be available. It’s not official, but maybe it’s official, for all we know. He will be rested for the second match and will directly play the third match, and you wonder, as there was a seven-day gap between the two matches, and he is not playing,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“Then there will be a five-day Test and a three-day gap. He will be available on the 10th of July now. That is a serious concern. If you need such big gaps, Bumrah’s future as a Test cricketer will be an issue,” he added.
Meanwhile, a few years ago, India’s current head coach Gautam Gambhir had said that he is not a big fan of managing a player’s workload and a player should play for the national team if he is fit. However, Gambhir recently revealed that Bumrah would only play three Test matches in the series and it was pre decided by the management.
“Someone put an old Gautam Gambhir interview as well. He must find himself in a very tricky position now because his opinion at that time was that it doesn’t matter, that you should play for India, go for recovery if you get injured, and then return, because playing for India is most important, and he doesn’t believe in workload management,” Chopra said.
“That was Gautam’s stand back then. However, it has changed now. Obviously, since he is the coach, he has to do man management, and that makes it a little different and difficult also as he is an important player. So he would swallow his words and let Bumrah be, because there is no one like Bumrah,” Chopra observed.
The second Test match between India and England will be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham from July 2nd onwards.
