Former batter Sanjay Manjrekar feels Jasprit Bumrah doesn’t need rest in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Bumrah has taken 12 wickets in two Tests at an average of 11.25.
He was down with an adductor muscle injury in Australia’s first innings. However, he quickly recovered after getting some treatment from the physio. He was not at his best in the second innings and bowled slowly.
Sanjay Manjrekar feels Bumrah should be a part of the Playing XI in all remaining games as he has been well-rested in the past, with the pacer playing only 34% of India’s international matches in the last three years.
“I will play him in every Test as he has been well rested. He has played just 34% of the international games that India have played in the last three years. And you need him because this is the important series that will be remembered for a long time. Rest him in one of the bilateral series that we will forget in 48 hours ,” Manjrekar told ESPNCricinfo.
Since 2022, India have competed in 165 matches in international cricket across formats, out of which Bumrah has been a part of 47 contests. Hence, his participation rate is 28.48% in the past three years, which also includes a 10-month absence due to a back stress fracture.
This suggests that he has been well-rested, but he has been playing regularly since the home season. Out of five, he was rested for just one Test. The team management might treat him differently as he will play an important role in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
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