Aakash Chopra Critiques Jasprit Bumrah's Limited Test Availability

India's first Test match against England ended in disappointment, with Jasprit Bumrah's limited availability for the series raising eyebrows. Former cricketer Aakash Chopra criticized the decision to publicize Bumrah's participation, suggesting it could impact team strategy and the opposition's preparations. Chopra emphasized the need for India to develop new fast bowlers to fill the gap left by Bumrah and other key players. As the series progresses, the focus will be on how India adapts to these challenges and who will step up in Bumrah's absence.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 27, 2025, 13:40 IST

India's Disappointing Start in England

India's tour of England began on a sour note as they suffered a defeat in the first Test match held in Leeds, where England successfully chased down the second-highest target in Test history. Prior to the series, Jasprit Bumrah, India's leading bowler, announced that he would only be available for three Tests due to ongoing injury issues. However, former cricketer Aakash Chopra expressed his concerns regarding this announcement.

Chopra remarked on his YouTube channel, 'Bumrah's declaration of playing only three matches raises questions. Why was this information made public? We typically don’t disclose our team selections, so why was it necessary to emphasize his limited participation before the tour? Let the opposition speculate. He should play the Tests he can.'

He further elaborated, 'Having played one match, it’s clear he can only participate in two of the remaining four, which is not ideal. If he plays the next one, he will only be available for one of the last three. This gives the opposition a psychological edge, knowing that Bumrah, a key player, might not be in the lineup, allowing them to prepare accordingly.'

Chopra also highlighted the importance of nurturing the next generation of Indian fast bowlers, stating, 'This is a critical issue. Two key factors contributed to India's success abroad: the batters scoring runs and the ability to take 20 wickets. Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj have been pivotal in this regard.'

He reminisced about the performances of Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the past, questioning who would step up in Bumrah's absence. 'While Siraj is promising, he has yet to reach the level of Bumrah or Shami,' he concluded.