‘If our physio says to manage workload, we should listen’ - Chetan Sharma backs Jasprit Bumrah amid criticism

Published - 18 Aug 2025, 17:59 IST | Updated - 18 Aug 2025, 18:15 IST

Former BCCI chairman of selectors Chetan Sharma has backed pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, emphasising that players should follow their physios’ advice, as they are the best judges of workload management. Bumrah faced criticism for featuring in only three Tests during the England tour, with Mohammed Siraj leading the pace attack in the other two matches. Sharma, himself a former fast bowler, likened the situation to a patient following a doctor’s instructions.

"If the medical team advises, if the doctor tells me that I have to take antibiotics, then I have to consume them. If our physios is telling a player to manage workload, I think we should listen to them because they are the better judges," Sharma was quoted as saying by NDTV Sports.

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Sharma, who forged a partnership with Kapil Dev for nearly half a decade and went on to take over 125 wickets in Tests and ODIs before becoming chairman of selectors, added that the team’s performance in the England Test series gave him confidence it will win the Asia Cup, which begins next month in the UAE.

"I know that whoever is selected will be the best for the country. And the kind of cricket we are playing right now, I'm really proud of the way India played in England. And I'm very confident that we are definitely going to win the Asia Cup (to be played in T20 format) because soon after that we are playing the T20 World Cup (in 2026) in India. It's a very big thing when you are playing (the World Cup) in you own backyard. If the intent is right, the results will also be good," said Sharma.

When asked about the inclusion of Indian Test captain Shubman Gill in the Asia Cup 2025 squad led by Suryakumar Yadav, Sharma stated that India should field its best possible 15-member team for the continental tournament.

"Look, that is up to the selectors what they see. My opinion does not matter because I am no longer the chairman (of selectors), so I will only say that the best possible team should be selected. We have such good cricketers that not just the top-15 but even if the top-30 are selected, they are all very good. Really proud of them," Sharma added.