Jasprit Bumrah Faces Criticism for Selective Participation in ENG vs IND Test Series

Jasprit Bumrah, one of the world’s premier fast bowlers, is under scrutiny for what many are calling a “pick-and-choose” approach during the recent Test series against England. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, Bumrah featured in only three of the five Test matches, missing the crucial encounters at Edgbaston and The Oval — both of which resulted in victories for the visiting side.

His absence in the latter stages of the series sparked conversations among experts and fans alike, especially as Bumrah managed to take 14 wickets in just three matches. He kicked off the series with a sensational five-wicket haul in Leeds but couldn’t replicate his impact in the second innings, where the team eventually lost by five wickets. Another five-wicket effort followed at Lord’s, but again, the team fell short of a win.

Irfan Pathan’s Strong Remarks on Bumrah’s Role

Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan didn’t hold back his views on Bumrah’s overall contribution and decision-making throughout the series. According to Pathan, Bumrah’s spells lacked the edge expected from a bowler of his stature, especially during key moments.

“There were moments when a sixth over was needed from Jasprit Bumrah as Joe Root was batting, and he has dismissed him 11 times before. In the Lord’s Test, Bumrah bowled just five overs in one spell — one more could’ve made a difference. There was some pick and choose, which I’m not in favour of,” Pathan said.

He acknowledged that while Bumrah performed well in patches, he didn’t quite meet the expectations typically associated with a top-ranked bowler.

“He bowled well and picked up five-wicket hauls, but being the number one bowler in the world, there's an added level of responsibility. Expectations were high, but he didn’t fully deliver,” Pathan added.

Rating the Performance

Pathan rated Bumrah’s series showing a modest six out of ten, emphasizing that a senior player’s contribution is often measured not just in numbers, but in their ability to influence match outcomes.

“As a senior, your role includes turning games around. Bumrah played in three Tests, and the team didn’t win any of them,” he stated.

The Bigger Picture: Player Rotation or Selective Commitment?

Bumrah’s partial availability has led to a wider debate — was it part of a planned rotation policy to manage workload, or was it selective participation? Either way, the situation has left fans and analysts looking for answers.

Cricket fans following the series on platforms like betinexch and betinexchange were quick to notice the pacer's absence in the most successful matches. These platforms, known for delivering strategic, real-time cricket experiences, also saw shifting fan sentiments during the series as lineup decisions impacted team dynamics.

Conclusion

Jasprit Bumrah remains a world-class bowler, but the recent Test series has highlighted the complexities of managing elite players in high-stakes tournaments. Whether his limited participation was part of a larger strategy or personal decision, the mixed results and rising criticism indicate that consistency and presence — not just performance — define greatness on the international stage.

Stay tuned with betinexch and betinexchange for more updates, match-day insights, and expert cricket analysis.