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AB de Villiers believes Jasprit Bumrah must have played all five Tests within the series against England, comparing his workload management to Dale Steyn.
Jasprit Bumrah picked up his twelfth 5-wicket haul away from India (X/BCCI)
Jasprit Bumrah is one of the best bowler on the earth and arguably Inida’s best cricketer for India across all formats. Managing his workload, though, has proved to be a major challenge for the Indian men’s cricket team.
As India look to return back within the five-Test series against England for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, former South African captain and Indian Premier League (IPL) legend AB de Villiers feels that Bumrah must have been prioritised to play in all five matches, fairly than the pre-planned three set by the Indian management.
“He might be the highest bowler on the earth in all formats at once. So, it’s very difficult to make your mind up a solution to rest him,” De Villiers was quoted as saying on his YouTube channel.
“For my part, Test cricket is the final word type of the sport. This Test series, specifically, would’ve been the one to get him ready for all five matches.”
The 40-year-old, who faced Bumrah towards the top of his profession, compared the situation to how South Africa managed Dale Steyn, a bowler with an analogous pedigree and injury history.
“That’s what we used to do with Dale. Rest him in less essential T20 and ODI series and prepare him for the massive Test series against Australia, England, and India away from home… Recent Zealand to some extent, depending on the rankings at the moment,” he explained.
Is Bumrah’s Workload Being Mismanaged?
Jasprit Bumrah’s potential absence in India’s second Test against England at Edgbaston has sparked debate, especially given the importance of the series and the conditions that favour his skills. While De Villiers was uncertain concerning the nature of the choice, he didn’t rule out the chance that it stemmed from medical advice.
“So, I don’t know if it was mismanagement or if it was because he recently returned from injury and saw the IPL as a warmup phase,” he said.
“Possibly, he consulted a surgeon who advised him against playing all five Test matches. You have got to respect that, and ultimately, it’s as much as Team India to administer him well,” he added.
De Villiers added a pointy commentary, saying: “It doesn’t get larger than this, except perhaps the WTC final.”
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha… Read More
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