Jasprit Bumrah's Workload Mismanaged? AB de Villiers Feels India Star Should've Been Part Of All 5 Test Matches

Jasprit Bumrah's stature in world cricket continues to rise, with many considering him the finest bowler across all formats today. Yet, his workload management remains a delicate and often contentious subject within the Indian team setup.

As India fight to regain footing in the ongoing five-match Test series against England for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, questions have emerged about the decision to limit Bumrah's appearances.

One notable voice joining the conversation is former South African captain and IPL icon AB de Villiers, who believes India's pace spearhead should have been featured in every match of the series.

"He is probably the top bowler in the world in all formats right now. So, it's very difficult to decide a way to rest him," de Villiers said on his YouTube channel, highlighting the dilemma of resting a player of Bumrah's calibre during a marquee contest.

For de Villiers, Test cricket holds unmatched importance, especially in high-profile rivalries. He believes this series was the ideal platform for Bumrah to feature throughout. "In my opinion, Test cricket is the ultimate form of the game. This Test series, in particular, would've been the one to get him ready for all five matches," he stated.

Reflecting on his own experience, de Villiers drew a parallel with how South Africa handled the workload of Dale Steyn-one of the game's greatest fast bowlers. "That's what we used to do with Dale. Rest him in less important T20 and ODI series and prepare him for the big Test series against Australia, England, and India away from home... New Zealand to some extent, depending on the rankings at that time," he explained.

The potential absence of Bumrah in the second Test at Edgbaston has raised eyebrows, particularly given that the conditions there are known to suit fast bowlers. However, de Villiers acknowledged that there may be unseen factors at play.

"So, I don't know if it was mismanagement or if it was because he recently returned from injury and saw the IPL as a warmup phase," he said. "Maybe, he consulted a surgeon who advised him against playing all five Test matches. You have to respect that, and ultimately, it's up to Team India to manage him well."

Emphasizing the weight of the occasion, de Villiers added, "It doesn't get bigger than this, except perhaps the WTC final."

While medical and long-term concerns may justify caution, the ongoing debate signals just how vital Bumrah has become to India's success-especially in the toughest format of the game.