Keeping his opinions on Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, former legendary Indian pacer Kapil Dev reflected on how comparing players from different eras seems futile, as he defended the ace pacer over his doubt about the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to the sustained injury in the Sydney Test.
Cricket is considered one of the most evolving sports in the modern era, as the game has undergone immense changes over the course of generations who have witnessed the game. From the earlier stages or years in which Kapil Dev played cricket to the modern-day gems like Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli’s times, cricket has seen significant adaptations.
Kapil Dev responded to media questions during the sidelines of the Professional Golf Tour of India, of which Dev is also the president.
He sparked claims with the response, “Please do not compare (me with Bumrah); you cannot compare one generation with another. The boys of today score 300 runs in a single day, which didn’t happen in our time. So, don’t compare.”
Former Kapil Dev teammate from the 1983 World Cup, Balwinder Singh Sandhu, stirred the debacle by saying that workload management is a term created and speculated by the Aussies. So Sandhu dismissed Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness concerns.
“Workload? How many overs did he bowl? 150-something, right? But in how many matches or innings? Five matches or nine innings, correct? That comes down to 16 overs per innings or 30 overs per match. And he didn’t bowl these 15+ overs in a single spell. So, is it a big deal? Workload management is bullshit,”
said Balwinder Singh Sandhu
He also added that 25-30 overs were bowled by him, Madan Lal, and Kapil Dev during their times, as he claimed their muscles got conditioned. I do not feel right with this workload management concept, added the 83 World Cup winner.
Jasprit Bumrah is doubtful for India in the ICC Champions Trophy
Jasprit Bumrah bowled a toiling 150 overs in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, as he nearly bowled 1000 deliveries in the competition, also being a regular wicket-getter with his acute pace and accuracy in line and length.
Bumrah also led Team India in two tests during the BGT, as he led India to a win in the Perth test while also leading them in the Sydney test; however, the dual challenges further increased his workload.
Jasprit Bumrah’s back injury has ruled him out of the race for the Champions Trophy, as his considerable back injury is currently being observed under the NCA. Bumrah is, however, also being considered as the next futuristic leader for India.
