• Source:JND
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Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan came up with a clarification on his comments on Jasprit Bumrah, having criticised the star pacer for picking and choosing matches to manage his workload.

Bumrah has been at the centre of heavy criticism for being unavailable despite India's desperate need during the Test series against England due to his workload management. Notably, Bumrah played only three out of the five-match Test series, which eventually ended in a 2-2 draw.

The decision to rest Bumrah for two games was taken after he had suffered a back injury while playing in the India vs Australia Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier in 2025.

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Amid the ongoing debate, Pathan mentioned that his intent was never to question Bumrah’s attitude, but added that once a player is named in the XI, pulling him back is not something he supports. "A lot of people think I question his attitude. Not at all. Why would I question someone who gives Test cricket priority, especially after the back injury, when a lot of other guys have not done that? I will never do that. No one is so stupid, right?

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I am saying once you are there on the field, you just go all-out. I can guarantee you that if the management keeps happening like this (bowling five-six overs), we will not get the desired result for a longer period of time," Pathan said on RezSportz.

Notably, Bumrah started the England series on a high as he picked up a five-wicket haul in the first innings of the Headingley Test but remained wicketless in the second innings. Similarly, he took five wickets in the first innings of the Lord's Test but managed only two in the second as India suffered another defeat.

Pathan praised Bumrah for prioritising Test cricket despite injury setbacks but insisted that once selected, a player should give his all, cautioning that restricted spells could affect long-term results. He went on to explain that the managing workload is one thing, but not using a player's full potential when he is in the XI makes things difficult for the team to win.

"We will manage his workload, but even at an important time like the Lord's Test, if we look to manage workload, how will the result come? You can push it at the time when it is needed. The recovery and management can happen after the game. If you are playing just three games and in that also you bowl just a few overs in a spell, it gets difficult for the team," he added.

While Bumrah took 14 wickets in the series, his impact in the series came into question as well, with India winning both of their two games in England in his absence.