BCCI to put an end to ‘picking and choosing’ culture

While the Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah opted to play only three out of the five Tests on the England tour, a lot of the Indian cricketing fans didn’t like the idea of cricketers ‘picking and choosing’ games, citing workload concerns.

Notably, ahead of the squad selection for the England tour, the chief selector Ajit Agarkar stated that Bumrah would play only three out of the five Tests as per the feedback he received from the seamer’s medical team.

Interestingly, Bumrah has been rested for the series-deciding Oval Test, which didn’t go down well with many people in the cricketing fraternity. Nevertheless, Mohammed Siraj stepped up in Bumrah’s absence to propel India to a six-run win.

That said, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is looking forward to putting an end to the culture of Indian star cricketers picking and choosing games, citing workload management, taking up a more objective approach.

"There have been discussions and the message will be sent across to the centrally contracted players, especially those who are all format regulars that this culture of picking and choosing games won't be entertained in near future," a senior BCCI official privy to current happenings told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

"It doesn't mean that workload management will be thrown out of the window but a more objective approach is expected in near future. Obviously, fast bowlers' workload needs to be managed but it can't be accepted that in the name of workload management, people will miss crucial matches."

It’s important to note that Siraj, the lone pacer from both teams to play all five Tests on the England tour, bowled a whopping 185.3 overs to scalp 23 wickets and end the series as the leading wicket-taker. 

On the other hand, England captain Ben Stokes, despite suffering from a hamstring strain, went on to bowl long spells in the penultimate Test before getting ruled out of the fifth Test due to a shoulder injury.

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