‘I'm confused about his career’: Manjrekar fires shots at Jasprit Bumrah's workload management

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed concern over Jasprit Bumrah's international availability, saying he would like to see the star fast bowler commit more consistently to Indian cricket after his latest workload-related break.

Bumrah was recently named in India's 15-member squad for the Asian Games in Japan, where Shreyas Iyer will lead the side in September. However, the pace spearhead has been rested for the upcoming T20I tours of Ireland and England in June and July. The decision comes after Bumrah featured in 13 matches for Mumbai Indians during IPL 2026.



While acknowledging the physical demands of modern cricket, Manjrekar admitted he is struggling to understand the path Bumrah's career is taking. The former batter had previously criticised the pacer for featuring in only three Tests during India's five-match series against England.

Speaking on Sony Sports Network, Manjrekar suggested that Bumrah could have managed the workload of a short T20I assignment, especially after completing a full IPL season.

“Asian Games, those performances and those results don't stay with you for too long. Cricket is still a sport of bilaterals and our own World Cups. The Olympics, when it comes as well, I don't think it will have the same sanctity that you have. It would be nice to win the Asia Games, but Bumrah is somebody; I'm just confused about how his career is going in terms of his availability. I did an Insta post yesterday. I thought Bumrah was the frontrunner to become India's T20 captain because I thought he could handle the T20 workload,” Manjrekar said.

The former cricketer went on to question the pattern of Bumrah's appearances for India, arguing that the pacer appears selective about the matches he prioritises.

“But it seems like he's not very keen to play every game that India plays. So here is a guy who actually rests for India games and keeps himself fit for certain India games. So it's a very different approach, something that I don't understand. I just wish that he would commit himself more to India. I can understand the workload he feels for Test cricket; 50 overs of cricket is extremely demanding. But considering that he played the entire IPL, I thought he would be able to take the workload of a few T20 matches in Ireland and England,” he added.

Manjrekar also revealed that he viewed Bumrah as a leading candidate to captain India's T20I side. According to him, the fast bowler's limited availability has opened the door for other players to take up leadership roles sooner than expected.

Bumrah had turned down the Test captaincy in 2025 due to workload concerns, prompting selectors to hand the role to Shubman Gill. Now, with Bumrah unavailable for the Ireland and England T20Is, Shreyas Iyer has been entrusted with leading India at the Asian Games.

“I wish he were available. And he was my go-to captain. He was certainly deserving of ability and leadership qualities as well. Bumrah has not been too keen to take captaincy. It's gone prematurely to other Indian players like Shubman Gill in England and now Shreyas Iyer as well,” he added.

Bumrah's recent form has also come under scrutiny. During IPL 2026, the veteran pacer endured an unusually difficult campaign, claiming only four wickets while also struggling to contain runs.

Having already been rested for the T20I series against Ireland and England and omitted from the Afghanistan ODI squad, attention will now turn to whether Bumrah returns for India's upcoming three-match ODI series against England.