‘UAE ke against bhi tumhe Jasprit Bumrah chahiye?’: Former India star on IND vs UAE Asia Cup opener

During the recent Test series against England, Bumrah played three out of five Tests, raising concerns about his workload. Jadeja, who represented India in 15 Tests and 196 ODIs from 1992 to 2000, expressed strong opposition to Bumrah’s inclusion, stressing that resting him would be the wiser decision.

“What is the need to play Bumrah tomorrow, man? Usually, you keep him wrapped in cotton wool. Ab UAE ke against bhi tumhe Bumrah chahiye? (Now you need Bumrah even against the UAE?) Either don’t protect him at all, or if you need to preserve him, then do it in this type of match. Logic dictates that, but we never do things with logic,” Jadeja said on Sony Sports network.

“The match is against the UAE. No disrespect because I have seen their captain, [Muhammad] Wasim, and the talent he possesses. You cannot rank any team, but this is a T20 World Cup-winning Team India. Hence, I am clear. If Bumrah plays tomorrow, I am going on strike,” he added.

Irfan Pathan, a former India all-rounder, echod Jadeja’s views during the conversation. He said the concept of workload management shouldn’t apply if a player is already part of the squad.

“You need to protect Bumrah, I understand. But what my opinion is, and I have said this during the England tour as well, is that if you have come to play a series, then you have to play it completely. You have not come into a series for recovery or management, you have come to play,” said Irfan.

“You will obviously think depending on the opposition, but when you pick up the momentum, you cannot let it slip. Bumrah, Arshdeep, Varun Chakaravarthy, Axar Patel can be your bowlers. And then all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube at No. 7 and 8. If we have to bat till No. 8, there is no room for Kuldeep Yadav,” he added.