776 days since his last ODI: Why India Is still holding Jasprit Bumrah back

Jasprit Bumrah has not played an ODI for India for 776 days, a number that is impossible to ignore in a data-obsessed culture such as India. His last ODI match was in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, after which he vanished from ODI cricket. Meanwhile, the Indian team has had several bilateral series, introduced new fast bowlers, and continued to play without the deadliest weapon in their ODI arsenal.

Bumrah’s absence from ODIs is not due to a lack of form, but rather, fear—fear of future injuries and fear of a repeat of the past. Bumrah's high-stress, unique bowling style and long-term history with back injuries have placed the team's management in an uncomfortable position, causing them to use the utmost caution. While Test matches and T20 internationals have been given precedence due to both their importance and the World Cup future, ODIs are the only format the Indian management feels they can sacrifice in order to protect their leading pace bowler.

Strategically, protecting Bumrah by managing his workload makes sense due to the busy schedule in India and the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup. However, Bumrah's absence from ODI cricket has caused some doubts about his fitness level and how well he will mentally adapt when he has the opportunity to return to ODI cricket.

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The Risk of Protecting Too Much

Bumrah's rest from injury may have benefited his body, but it will also hurt his chance of success in ODI cricket. ODI cricket has different demands than T20 or Test cricket. The 50-over format tests a player's ability to maintain a rhythm and endure fatigue while playing at their maximum level, as well as their ability to adapt to ever-changing circumstances during each phase of an ODI innings. Without playing in matches on a regular basis, most of the time during an ODI match, fast bowlers risk losing their instincts and losing their ability to perform well in all three phases of the game.

While the 2027 ODI World Cup is far off for India, being unprepared with time can lead to uncertainty. The longer Jasprit Bumrah is out of ODIs, the possibility of it being a reset upon his return increases as well. An overall balanced plan of action, including selective playing of ODIs and limiting the overs faced by Bumrah, must soon be made.

At this time, India remains focused on the future, and the goal of developing many great future players remains the priority over immediate results. As the significance of ODI cricket is becoming more apparent with each passing day, will India have the needed time available to plan ahead for replacing Bumrah with a worthy player of equal caliber?