'Some of these former cricketers...': Ex-India chief selector slammed for calling Bumrah’s workload management 'nonsense'

Former India cricketer and ex-chairman of selectors Sandeep Patil is getting slammed online for his strong words against Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management . Bumrah missed the Edgbaston and Oval Tests in India’s recent five-match series in England due to injury concerns.

The team management had already confirmed this before the start of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series. Bumrah underwent back surgery earlier this year after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. He missed out on the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and a chunk of IPL 2025 because of the injury.

Still, several former cricketers, including the likes of Irfan Pathan, Sunil Gavaskar, and now Sandeep Patil, have questioned Bumrah’s commitment towards the team. They feel that Bumrah’s decision to manage his workload is “nonsense.” However, the move is not Bumrah’s alone as the BCCI and team management have also played a role in it.

“I wonder how the BCCI is agreeing to all this [Jasprit Bumrah playing select games]. When you are picked for your country, you die for your country. You are a warrior. Workload management is nonsense – you are either fit or unfit, and that’s how we [his selection panel] picked teams. We did not entertain this workload business.” Sandeep Patil told Mid-Day.

Fans slam Sandeep Patil for his comment

Many fans were not happy with his statement. One user wrote, “Sandeep Patil averaged 36 with the bat in Tests and 24 in ODIs. He is talking like he was Steve Waugh and Allan Border type of player. No player should ‘die’ for his country. This isn’t war and the player isn’t a soldier. This jingoism bullshit needs to stop.”

Another said, “The number of matches played during Sandeep’s era and ensure as chairman of selectors vs. today is night & day… can’t compare….”

A third fan commented, “Some of these former cricketers really spew nonsense. It’s a blessing that Bumrah is still playing after a slew of stress back fractures. The management has to consider medical history, they can’t treat everyone as equal in that regard, that’s what is called managing players!”

Despite missing out on two Tests, Bumrah was India’s second-highest wicket-taker after Mohammed Siraj. He picked up 14 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls. However, India failed to win all three matches he played in. Their two wins came when Bumrah was rested.