"Just play white-ball format": Jasprit Bumrah told to quit Test Cricket

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin made a huge statement on pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s workload ahead of the three-match ODI series against South Africa. Ashwin stated that the selectors and team management should manage his workload carefully and avoid playing him in meaningless ODI matches.

Bumrah recently played in the two-match Test series against South Africa. He picked up eight wickets, but the hosts were whitewashed. The 31-year-old has been given a break for the three-match ODI series starting November 30 but is likely to be back in action for the five-match T20I series beginning on December 9.

Jasprit Bumrah Wants to Play as Long as He Can - Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin said that he would advise Jasprit Bumrah to stick to white-ball cricket and avoid playing Tests unless India need him. Ashwin said that Bumrah loves the Test format and wants to keep playing it despite the challenges. However, he stated that the pacer should manage his workload carefully.

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“I've got a great relationship with him. If I were anywhere near him, I'd go and tell him, you know what, just play the white ball format,” Ashwin said during a conversation with AB de Villiers on YouTube.

"Unless and until we need you, do not step into the Test side. And that's what I would tell him. But I know him personally. He loves the Test format. Bumrah wants to play as long as he can. He knows it's going to be a challenge," he added.

I Would Want Jasprit Bumrah to Play Meaningful Test Matches - Ravichandran Ashwin

Ashwin went on to say that India should use Bumrah in important matches, especially T20 games and overseas Tests. The former spinner said that there was no need for the pacer to feature in meaningless ODI fixtures.

“But I think for Indian cricket's sake and for Bumrah's sake, I'd love to see him play T20 cricket. I wouldn't want him to play meaningless ODIs. I would want him to play meaningful Test matches, if that makes sense. I'd only want him for the away Test matches. And I would want to build a crop of other fast bowlers when we are playing at home as well,” Ashwin continued.

I Would Just Pull Him Out - AB de Villiers on Jasprit Bumrah

Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers agreed that Jasprit Bumrah should be handled carefully and said he would rest the pacer from all home and subcontinent Tests. De Villiers added that Bumrah should only be used in major overseas series in SENA countries.

“What I would personally do is, for all home and subcontinent test matches, I would just pull him out. And I would play him for only away games. In Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, England,” said de Villiers.

“All the test matches there. Make sure he's fresh for that. And then obviously focus on white ball cricket, where there are World Cups up for grabs,” he added.

Also read: BCCI to make final call on Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli's future after South Africa ODIs