1983 World Cup Hero Balvinder Singh Sandhu Defends Jasprit Bumrah Amid Workload Criticism

New Delhi, Aug. 26 — Former India pacer and 1983 World Cup winner Balvinder Singh Sandhu has strongly defended Jasprit Bumrah, hitting back at critics who questioned the star bowler for playing only selected matches during India’s recent series against England.

Bumrah, currently the No.1 ranked Test pacer, featured in just three Tests of the five-match Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy, where he picked up 17 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls — one at the historic Lord’s. However, India failed to win any of the Tests in which he played, prompting criticism that his limited appearances hurt the team’s chances.

With Mohammed Siraj bowling over 185 overs across all five Tests, and former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar suggesting that management “look past Bumrah” if he cannot feature consistently, the debate around his workload management intensified.

Sandhu, however, dismissed the criticism as “hypocritical”, noting that batters often rest or skip series without facing similar scrutiny.

“In these seven years, how many batsmen have gone without injury breaks? How many have opted out of a series quietly? Nobody questions them. But when it comes to a fast bowler, everyone seems ready to pounce. The truth is — fast bowling is brutal,” Sandhu wrote in Mid-Day.

He further cited data to underline his point: Bumrah has averaged just 3.2 rest days for every playing day since his debut, compared with 3.5 for Siraj and 3.7 for Mohammed Shami — both of whom have also missed games due to injury.

Bumrah Set for Asia Cup Return

Despite missing parts of the England series, the ICC Champions Trophy, and early games of the IPL 2025 due to a back spasm, Bumrah is expected to return at the Asia Cup in the UAE, beginning September 9. India’s campaign starts against the UAE on September 10, followed by the high-profile clash against Pakistan on September 14.

Sandhu stressed that Bumrah’s unique bowling action and biomechanics place greater physical demands on his body than most legendary fast bowlers of the past.

“Compare Bumrah to legends like Kapil Dev, Wasim Akram, Richard Hadlee, or Malcolm Marshall. They had smoother actions, yet even they weren’t spared from injuries. Bumrah’s slow run-up means he generates pace with extra strain on his body,” Sandhu explained.

Urging fans and experts alike to appreciate Bumrah’s craft rather than question his availability, Sandhu concluded:

“Instead of hammering bowlers for ‘choosing matches,’ let’s enjoy their performances whenever they take the field — the skills, the execution, and the moments they create.”