India warned against overusing Jasprit Bumrah ahead of ICC T20 World Cup 2026

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has warned against playing Jasprit Bumrah in the upcoming white-ball series against South Africa after long spells in the ongoing two-match Test series.

Karthik made a bold suggestion while commentating on Day 2 of the second and final Test between India and South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.

Jasprit Bumrah bowled the most overs in the first South African innings

Jasprit Bumrah bowled the most overs—32 in the first innings—and scalped two wickets on a very placid track that offered little assistance to the bowlers.

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When India’s other bowlers struggled to make breakthroughs, the stand-in captain Rishabh Pant repeatedly called Bumrah back into the attack, highlighting the bowler’s ongoing workload and reliance on him.

During his spell on Day 2, where he toiled on a placid track, Karthik pointed out that after such a long and demanding test series, it would be difficult for Bumrah to immediately feature in the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, starting on November 30 in Ranchi.

Dinesh Karthik suggests resting Jasprit Bumrah for ODI series against South Africa

The commentator believes India will rest Bumrah for the ODI series, allowing him to recover and focus on the five-match T20I series, keeping in mind the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Even last month, the star pacer missed the ODI series in Australia but returned for the T20I series.

Karthik feels the team management will follow the same approach for the home series against South Africa to manage the workload of India’s premier pacer while keeping him fresh and ready for high-intensity T20Is ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 at home and in Sri Lanka.

Dinesh Karthik said on air, “I don't think he will play the ODI series after a Test match like this. In the T20I series, he will. But for the ODI series, I don't think he will. He will put his hands up and say, Thank you. That is a lot of bowling for one man.”

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Jasprit Bumrah focuses on performance and fitness amid criticism over “Picking Games”

Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah has been criticized heavily for picking and choosing the games, especially after he played only three Tests in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England, with some questioning his commitment. However, since then, he has been busy across formats with India.

The star pacer featured in the Asia Cup 2025, played two Tests against the West Indies, five T20Is against Australia, and now the two Tests against South Africa at home. During the second test in Guwahati, Bumrah showed frustration over repeated questions about his workload.

He stressed that he is focusing on performing and taking care of his body. Bumrah said during the post-day press conference in Guwahati, “I try to give my best in whichever format I play. These questions are not my questions; I will not answer them. I try to play as much as I can. I try to take care of my body.”

Notably, at the stumps, India was at 9/0, trailing by 480 runs against South Africa in the ongoing second and final Test in Guwahati. Kuldeep Yadav was the standout bowler with four wickets, while Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravindra Jadeja each scalped two wickets against the Proteas side.