Former India batter Aakash Chopra has raised serious concerns over the decision to announce Jasprit Bumrah and his limited availability for the ongoing Test series against England. He believes the Indian team management made a mistake by revealing in advance that Bumrah wouldn’t be playing all five Tests.
Aakash Chopra Questions BCCI’s Strategy
Chopra, speaking on his YouTube channel, questioned, “Bumrah said he will play three matches only, and I am thinking whether it was required to publicize it. Why was it not kept a secret? We don’t announce our team as well. So why was it necessary to reiterate it repeatedly before the start of the tour that he would play three matches only? Let them guess. You play whichever Tests you wish.”
He argued that keeping such key information under wraps would have made it harder for the opposition to plan. According to Chopra, knowing when Bumrah will or won’t play can influence how England prepares the pitches, especially since Bumrah is India’s top fast bowler.
Resting Bumrah Now? Think Twice, Warns Shastri
India lost the first Test at Headingley by five wickets after England chased down a challenging 371-run target. Jasprit was a major force in the first innings with figures of 5/83 but went wicketless in the second innings. Despite his effort, the Indian bowling attack looked blunt in the final stretch.
After the match, head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed that Bumrah would only feature in three Tests, or four if needed. But this didn’t sit well with former India coach Ravi Shastri, who warned the management to reconsider their decision ahead of the second Test at Birmingham starting July 2.
“If he (Bumrah) was looking at a rest, you may have to think twice. If you don’t have him and then go 2-0 down, it could be an uphill task,” Shastri told Sky Sports.
With the series heating up, fans and experts alike are questioning whether the decision to be open about Jasprit’s schedule was a wise one.