AB de Villiers Questions India's Handling of Jasprit Bumrah's Workload in England Test Series

Former South African captain AB de Villiers has sparked debate regarding India's reported decision to limit Jasprit Bumrah's participation to just three Tests in the ongoing five-match series against England. De Villiers, a strong advocate for Test cricket, voiced his concerns, hinting at a possible mismanagement of India's key fast bowler.

De Villiers emphasized the importance of Test cricket, calling it the "ultimate form of the game." Speaking on his YouTube channel, he drew parallels with how South Africa managed Dale Steyn's workload, prioritizing his availability for crucial Test series.

"He is probably the top bowler in the world in all formats right now," de Villiers stated. "In my opinion, this Test series would've been the one to get him ready for all five matches. That's what we did with Dale - rest him in less important T20 and ODI series and have him fully ready for the big Test tours - Australia, England, India."

He further inquired whether medical advice played a role in the decision. "Maybe the surgeon told him he can't play all five. If that's the case, you've got to respect it. But if it's about workload, then I'm not sure they've gone about it the right way," he commented.

De Villiers insisted that Bumrah should be playing unless a serious injury prevents him from doing so. "It doesn't get bigger than a five-Test series against England - other than maybe the WTC final. If he's fit, he must play. If not, I understand the caution."

De Villiers also playfully suggested that India's strategy might be a deceptive tactic to surprise England. "Maybe it's part of the plan - say he'll miss some games and then play all five. Hopefully, that's the surprise with India 0-1 down."

Acknowledging India's squad depth, he highlighted the opportunity for other players to shine. "It's a big opportunity for someone like Arshdeep Singh or maybe Kuldeep Yadav to step up."