Chetan Sharma Supports Bumrah's Workload Management Amid Criticism

In a recent statement, former BCCI chairman Chetan Sharma defended Jasprit Bumrah's decision to limit his participation in the England Test series, highlighting the importance of following physiotherapist advice. Sharma expressed confidence in India's performance in the upcoming Asia Cup and emphasized the need for selecting the best squad. With Bumrah's injury history, Sharma's comments shed light on the balance between player health and team performance. As the cricketing world looks forward to the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup in 2026, Sharma's insights resonate with fans and players alike. Read on to discover more about his views on team selection and Bumrah's crucial role.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 19, 2025, 02:04 IST

Backing Bumrah's Decisions

Jasprit Bumrah, India's leading fast bowler, faced scrutiny for participating in only three Tests during the recent series against England, a decision made to manage his workload. However, Chetan Sharma, the former chairman of selectors for the BCCI, has come to his defense, emphasizing the importance of following the advice of physiotherapists, who he believes are the most qualified to make such judgments.

Bumrah, who has a history of injuries, played in the first, third, and fourth Tests of the five-match series, while Mohammed Siraj took charge of the bowling attack in the two matches he missed.

Sharma, a former fast bowler himself, likened the situation to a patient adhering to a doctor's recommendations. He stated, "If the medical team advises me to take antibiotics, I must comply. Similarly, if our physiotherapists recommend managing a player's workload, we should heed their advice as they are the experts." This statement was made during an event where Prasar Bharati, the national broadcaster, announced a partnership with London-based cricket analytics firm CricViz for a series titled 'The Great Indian Cricket Show' on Doordarshan.

Reflecting on the team's performance in the England series, Sharma expressed confidence in India's chances at the upcoming Asia Cup, set to take place in the UAE next month. He remarked, "I am assured that the selected players will be the best for our country. The way India performed in England fills me with pride, and I am optimistic about our victory in the Asia Cup, especially with the T20 World Cup approaching in 2026 on home soil."

He added, "Playing the World Cup at home is a significant opportunity. If our intent is right, we can expect positive results." This event also featured notable figures such as Madan Lal, a member of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, along with former players Murali Kartik and Aakash Chopra, and Prasar Bharati chairman Navneet Kumar Sehgal.

When asked about Test captain Shubman Gill, who recently scored four centuries in the drawn series against England, Sharma suggested that the selectors should aim to assemble the strongest possible 15-member squad for the Asia Cup, which will be led by the talented batter Suryakumar Yadav. He concluded, "Ultimately, it is up to the selectors to decide. My input is no longer relevant as I am not the chairman anymore, but I believe we have an abundance of talented cricketers, and even a top-30 selection would be impressive."