“Wouldn't want him to play meaningless ODIs” - Former spinner’s huge statement on Jasprit Bumrah’s workload amid IND vs SA 2025 series

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said that if he were anywhere near ace seamer Jasprit Bumrah, he would tell him to focus on the white-ball format and avoid Test cricket until the team requires his services. Bumrah was recently part of the two-game home Test series against South Africa, taking eight wickets across four innings, though the Proteas whitewashed India.

The 31-year-old has been rested for the upcoming three-game ODI series starting November 30 against South Africa, but is expected to return for the five-match T20I series beginning December 9.

With Bumrah’s workload a recurring topic of discussion in recent months, Ashwin said on Friday, November 28, in a joint YouTube video with former South Africa captain AB de Villiers, that he would advise the seamer to focus on the white-ball format, skip meaningless ODIs, and play only the meaningful red-ball matches. He said:

“If I was anywhere near him, I'd go and tell him, you know what, just play the white-ball format 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. He wants to play as long as he wants, as long as he can. He knows it's going to be a challenge, 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 would 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. So Bumrah is a treasure for India, a unique action which sets him apart, which also gives him a lot of troubles with his physical workload management. And that's how I would view Bumrah in the future, an absolute champion who has set up some very famous victories for India in the last few years,” he added.

Jasprit Bumrah has played 221 games for India across formats, claiming 482 wickets, including 18 five-wicket hauls.

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“I would just pull him out” - AB de Villiers backs resting Jasprit Bumrah for subcontinent Tests

In the same video, AB de Villiers also asserted that personally he would want Jasprit Bumrah to skip all subcontinent Test matches and play only in SENA countries, while focusing on white-ball cricket when World Cups are at stake. He said:

“What I would personally do is all home, all sub-continent Test matches, I would just pull him out, and I would play him only for away games in Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, England, 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.”

With the 2026 T20 World Cup in focus, Jasprit Bumrah has been consistently featuring in T20Is, while his last ODI appearance was during the 2023 World Cup final against Australia.