
Ex-Bowling Coach Explains Why Bumrah Played Only 3 Tests: 'This Is Far More Serious...'
Former India head coach Bharat Arun responded to the accusations of 'picking and choosing games' on Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah's workload management was the biggest talking point during India's tour of England. The ace Indian pacer has a long history of injuries, yet has managed to produce the best whenever on the field. Keeping that in mind, he was supposed to play just three out of five matches, which he had done by the 4 th Test. India were still trailing 2-1 in the series then, while the experts kept on debating over Bumrah's availability for the decider.
While some favoured his absence, many questioned his intent to give the fifth Test a miss. But the truth was that the coach, Bumrah himself and the BCCI medical team were on the same page when his participation in the Test series was decided.
Former India head coach Bharat Arun responded to the accusations of 'picking and choosing games' on Bumrah. Speaking with The Indian Express, Arun said it's unfortunate that India's premium pacer has to deal with such scrutiny despite putting his body on the line.
'It's so sad to hear about this stuff against Bumrah. He has had a serious surgery, and people should understand it is not as if the surgery is done and he is all good forever. No, this is far more serious stuff on his back now," Arun was quoted as saying.
'It's not picking and choosing. Just a few months back, he was hailed as the world's greatest fast bowler in Australia, and now, he is being criticised unfairly. Did he underperform in the three Tests? Two fifers he took. Why do you think it was announced way before the series itself that he would play 3 Tests, precisely to stop this kind of nonsense? Not for the world to fall to temptation and say play him as this Test is crucial … His body is like that now. We have to be careful and understand how hard this entire effort is and such a great feat for him to do what he is doing – playing for India through all this," he added.
Bumrah came to England after dealing with stress fractures, abdominal strain, back surgery, and spasms in the recent past. Yet gave his best whenever he was on the field. He played only three Tests and picked up 14 wickets, India's second-highest wicket-taker after Siraj, at an average of 32. He bagged two fifers and a four-wicket haul as well.
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