Former Indian batter Ajay Jadeja believes there is no need to play Jasprit Bumrah in the team’s Asia Cup opener against the UAE. Bumrah was rested for two Test matches against England to manage his workload and thus a lot of cricket experts had questioned him for picking and choosing Test matches.
Bumrah has returned to the T20I squad after one year long gap and he would look to hit the ground running. Jadeja said the ace pacer’s workload should be managed and he should not play against a bleak team like the UAE.
“What is the need to play Bumrah tomorrow, man? Usually, you keep him wrapped in cotton wool. Now you need him even against UAE? Either don’t protect him at all, and if you need to preserve him, then do it in these type of matches. Logic dictates that, but we never do things with logic. I will go on strike if Bumrah plays,” Ajay Jadeja said on Sony Sports Network.
On the other hand, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan had a different opinion, stating Bumrah should play in the whole tournament if he is picked in the squad.
“You need to protect Bumrah, I understand. But what my opinion is, and I have said this during the England tour as well, is that if you have come to play a series, then you have to play it completely. You have not come into a series for recovery or management, you have come to play,” Irfan Pathan opined.
Bumrah is going to hold the key in the continental tournament and he would look to be at the top of his fitness.
India will begin their Asia Cup campaign against the UAE on September 10 in Dubai.
