Kohli, Bumrah, Rohit Not Bigger Than Game Of Cricket: Manoj Tiwary

Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary believes Jasprit Bumrah shouldn’t be picked for a four or five-match Test series if he is not fit enough to play all the games.

Bumrah faced heavy criticism for “picking and choosing” matches during India’s five-Test series in England. Even before the series began, he had informed the team management that he would be available for only three Tests to manage his workload.

As a result, the paceman played only the first, third, and fourth Tests, sitting out the second and fifth. Ironically, India lost two of the three matches in which he featured, while the only other game was drawn. In contrast, the team won both Tests that Bumrah missed.

Although the results were coincidental, Bumrah faced significant trolling and criticism from fans and former cricketers, with Tiwary joining the chorus.

“See, when you know there are a couple of things which has happened in England which I thought we missed a trick as far as our strategy is concerned. So first of all, in my opinion, if a player is not fit for a five-Test series, when you know beforehand, then obviously, you will not pick that individual,” Tiwary told CricTracker.

“Why will you not pick that individual? Because no one is bigger than the game of cricket. And it should be told to everyone, irrespective of whether he's Jasprit Bumrah, whether it is Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma, or anyone in this world. No one is bigger than the game of cricket.”

Bumrah did, however, play all five Tests against Australia, finishing as the leading wicket-taker with 32 wickets at an astonishing average of 13.06. He suffered a back spasm in the final Test and was sidelined for a couple of months. Since his comeback, Bumrah has been careful about managing his workload.

“If the team management knows or the selector knows that he's not going to survive for five Tests on a trot, he should not be picked. And the second reason is we would have understood if the backup was not there, the bench strength was not there, then obviously you want to take Jasprit Bumrah because you know there is no other bowlers who are ready to take over international cricket,” said Tiwary.

“But when you know you have a bench strength, when you have a pool of fast bowlers who are really doing well, then obviously he should not have been picked in the first place.”

Bumrah will next be in action during the Asia Cup 2025, starting on September 9 in the UAE.