Sports · Cricket · 2 hrs ago
Shane Bond backs Bumrah over decision to miss ODIs
India left Jasprit Bumrah out of its ODI squad so he could focus on an upcoming Test series against New Zealand.
The move comes as both teams manage their players’ workloads during a long tour and a crowded international schedule.
Former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond said the criticism of Bumrah was unfair, arguing that experienced bowlers assess what their bodies can handle with coaches and medical staff.
He said the risk is especially high when a player is returning from injury and adjusting to competitive cricket.
Workload management is important for keeping fast bowlers fit and fresh, Bond said, as teams balance international matches with franchise cricket.
India will also need its players ready for next year’s ODI World Cup, which Bond said is expected in October or November.
India left Jasprit Bumrah out of its ODI squad so he could focus on the upcoming Test series.
Former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond said criticism that Bumrah was picking and choosing matches was “pretty harsh.”
Bond said experienced bowlers assess their workloads with medical staff and coaches.
India and New Zealand released several frontline players from the final two ODIs to focus on red-ball cricket.
The tour is expected to last more than 40 days.
- Who
- Jasprit Bumrah and former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond.
- What
- Bond defended Bumrah’s absence from India’s ODI squad, saying it was harsh to accuse him of picking and choosing matches.
- When
- Bond’s comments were reported on November 3 and November 4, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- India left Bumrah out of the ODI squad to allow him to focus on the upcoming Test series.
Critics of Bumrah’s schedule
Shane Bond
Bumrah’s absence from ODIs
Critics of Bumrah’s schedule
Critics suggest players are picking and choosing which matches to play.
Shane Bond
Bond said it was harsh to make that claim and that experienced bowlers manage workloads with medical staff and coaches.
India left Bumrah out of its ODI squad so he could focus on red-ball cricket.
The Times of India published Bond’s comments defending Bumrah’s workload management.
NDTV Sports reported that Bond had backed Bumrah amid criticism of his schedule.
- Player
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Former player
- Shane Bond
- India squad decision
- Bumrah was not included in the ODI squad
- Tour length
- More than 40 days
- Reports published
- November 3 and November 4, 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
I think it’s pretty harsh on Booms (Bumrah) to suggest he’s picking and choosing.
Experienced bowlers understand their bodies very well.
They’re constantly discussing their workloads with medical staff and coaches, assessing what they can physically handle.