NEW DELHI, Aug 18 (PTI) - Amidst discussions surrounding Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah's workload management, former BCCI chairman of selectors Chetan Sharma has come out in support of the bowler. Bumrah, known for his susceptibility to injuries, participated in only three out of the five Tests against England in the Anderson-Tendulkar series. Mohammed Siraj took charge in his absence, spearheading the pace attack in the matches Bumrah skipped. Sharma, a former pace bowler himself, compared the situation to following a doctor's professional advice.
"If the medical team advises that antibiotics are necessary, then one has to adhere to that recommendation. Similarly, if our physios suggest managing the player’s workload, listening to them is crucial because they are better judges," Sharma commented. He was present at an event where Prasar Bharati signed a deal with CricViz, a London-based cricket analytics company, for broadcasting 104 episodes of "The Great Indian Cricket Show" on Doordarshan. Sharma, who had a renowned pace partnership with Kapil Dev, expressed confidence in India’s performance in England and the upcoming Asia Cup in the UAE next month.
"The players selected will undoubtedly be the best for India. The cricket displayed in England makes me proud, and I'm optimistic India will clinch the Asia Cup (T20 format) before gearing up for the 2026 T20 World Cup on home soil," said Sharma. "It's significant to play the World Cup at home, and with the right intent, success will follow," he added. The event also saw the presence of Madan Lal, a 1983 World Cup winner, alongside former Indian players Murali Kartik, Aakash Chopra, and Prasar Bharati Chairman Navneet Kumar Sehgal.
When asked about Test skipper Shubman Gill, who impressed with four centuries in the drawn series against England, and whether he should figure in the Asia Cup squad under the leadership of charismatic Suryakumar Yadav, Sharma emphasized the importance of selecting the best 15-member squad. "Selection is up to the selectors; my current opinion holds no weight as I'm not the chairman. Whether selecting the top-15 or top-30, India boasts extremely talented cricketers," Sharma remarked, expressing pride in the national team.
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