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Chetan Sharma, a former fast bowler for India, has defended Jasprit Bumrah in response to the considerable criticism surrounding his workload management. Sharma highlighted that bowlers must follow the advice of their physios, as they possess the expertise to determine the best course of action for players’ fitness. Bumrah played only three of the five matches in the recent Test series against England, with the management opting to provide him with sufficient rest.

The decision to leave Bumrah out of the final Test at the Oval, while India were trailing 1-2, sparked backlash from both fans and cricket experts. In response, Sharma supported Bumrah, asserting that players should rely on physios’ guidance, as they are the most qualified to assess a player’s physical condition.

“If the medical team recommends it, and the doctor advises me to take antibiotics, then I must follow that. Similarly, if our physios suggest managing a player’s workload, we should listen to them, as they are the best judges,” Sharma told PTI.

Additionally, Sharma expressed his optimism about India’s performance in the 2025 Asia Cup, commending the team for their recent successes in England.

“I am confident that the selected players will be the best for the country. Given the quality of cricket we’re playing, I’m extremely proud of India’s performance in England. I firmly believe that we will win the Asia Cup (in T20 format), especially with the T20 World Cup in 2026 taking place in India right after.”

The 2025 Asia Cup is scheduled to begin on September 9, with Afghanistan facing Hong Kong in the opening match in Abu Dhabi. India will kick off their campaign against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on September 10 in Dubai, followed by a highly anticipated clash with Pakistan on September 14.