Jasprit Bumrah and the Indian team management were criticised by Mohammad Azharuddin for putting workload management first at the just finished Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. In a news conference prior to the five-Test series, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir had declared that Bumrah will only play three matches. The series’ first, third, and fourth Test matches were all played by the great pacer.
Azharuddin, the former captain of India, wasn’t happy with Bumrah’s selective selection of games to play in the intense series.
“The Board and the player must make a decision if there is an injury concern. But I believe you can’t pick and choose your matches once you’re on the squad. Workload exists, but you must handle it at this level. In an interview with Mid-Day, Azharuddin stated, “You are playing for the country.”
“It was a different story that Siraj along with Prasidh [Krishna] and Akash Deep rose to the occasion and we were fortunate that we could win without Bumrah, but what happens if India needs Bumrah badly in a particular situation?” He enquired.
In the first and third Test matches of the series, Bumrah claimed two five-fors, although India lost both. After three games, the 31-year-old took 14 wickets at an average of 26.
He was quite animated and enthusiastic: Azharuddin
Mohammed Siraj’s outstanding performance in the series against England was commended by Azharuddin. With 23 wickets in five games at an average of 32.43, the right-arm bowler ended up taking the most wickets in the series.
“Siraj was excellent. His favourite dishes, paya and nalli gosht biryani, have helped him build a muscular body, especially his legs. He was quite animated and enthusiastic. “He was driven to succeed and deliver for India throughout the series,” Azharuddin remarked.
“That spell was amazing at the Oval. When Jasprit Bumrah wasn’t there, he handled the duty well. He bowled with great effort and came hard at the England hitters. “He is undoubtedly the new Indian sports superstar,” he continued.
India defeated Ben Stokes and company by six runs in the fifth and final Test match at The Oval in London, capping an exciting series that ended 2-2. Siraj received Player of the Match after hitting five runs in the fourth innings.
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