During the India vs England Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Jasprit Bumrah’s workload became a hot topic. Even though he was fit, he only played in three of the five games. This choice came after a back injury he got during the India vs Australia Border-Gavaskar Trophy in early 2025.

Some people weren’t happy with how Bumrah’s workload was managed. Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan spoke out against what he saw as Bumrah’s pick and choose approach in the recent Test series against England.

Pathan said on YouTube that he’s always been against picking and choosing, and he saw that happening here.

Pathan added that although Bumrah had some good moments, he didn’t quite live up to the team’s expectations.

Pathan has since clarified his comments about Bumrah:

He said that a lot of people think he was questioning Bumrah’s attitude, but that’s not true. He wouldn’t question someone who puts Test cricket first, especially after a back injury, when many others haven’t. He also mentioned that once you’re on the field, you should give it your all. He’s sure that if the management keeps limiting bowlers to five or six overs, they won’t get the results they want in the long run.

Pathan continued, saying that they can manage Bumrah’s workload, but if they’re still thinking about it during important times like the Lord’s Test, they won’t get the result they want. He believes you can push players when needed, and recovery can happen after the game. He added that if you only play three games and bowl a few overs in each spell, it becomes hard for the team.

He thinks Bumrah should think like Siraj:

Pathan mentioned that he was doing a coaching course at the NCA for two weeks while Bumrah was recovering from his back injury. He saw his progress clearly. Bumrah would bowl five overs, rest for a day, and then come back and bowl six overs. He’s very clear, and the team also knows what to do for recovery and how much to bowl before a match. The process is in place, but Pathan believes that the process can’t be followed during the game.

Pathan emphasized that once you’re on the field, you have to think like Siraj. He’s not saying others don’t, but some players have different mindsets, maybe because of past injuries or their body’s needs. But this can hurt the team and prevent them from getting the right result. That’s why he believes you can’t think too much about workload management when you’re playing for your country.

Pathan also brought up the India vs England Lord’s Test, where Bumrah’s short spell was questioned. He said that during Joe Root and Ben Duckett’s partnership, it was important for captain Shubman Gill to have his best bowler bowl one or two overs because Bumrah had a good chance of getting Root out, as he had done before. Even if Bumrah didn’t get a wicket, it was worth taking the chance.

Pathan concluded that he was suggesting they take chances instead of sticking to those five overs. In the same game, Ben Stokes bowled a nine-over spell on the fourth day, even though he’s an all-rounder. Jasprit Bumrah goes to fine leg for recovery and gets proper space. Pathan isn’t questioning Bumrah’s attitude and wouldn’t be so foolish, as Bumrah is someone who prioritizes Test cricket, especially after a back injury, which many others haven’t.