Sanjay Manjrekar has sparked a debate about Jasprit Bumrah's role in the Indian cricket team, suggesting that the team should not have to adjust to accommodate him, but rather Bumrah should adapt to the needs of Indian cricket. Manjrekar emphasized that no player, regardless of their greatness, is indispensable.

Manjrekar's comments came after India's 2025 Test series against England, where Bumrah only played in three of the five matches. This led to criticism regarding which matches the right-arm fast bowler chose to play. Manjrekar stressed the importance of durability for Bumrah if he aims to serve Indian cricket for a long time, stating that the true test of a great athlete is their ability to perform even when not 100% fit.

In his column for The Hindustan Times, Manjrekar wrote, "Indian cricket must not adjust for Bumrah, Bumrah must. That is, if he wants to". He argued that if Bumrah cannot play more than two matches consecutively, or sometimes even just one, he should not be the first-choice pick. Manjrekar believes that players who are match-fit, eager, and keen to play should be prioritized over highly skilled players who may not be available consistently.

Manjrekar also highlighted the fact that India won the two Tests in England that Bumrah did not play. He sees this as "poetic justice" and believes it should encourage the Indian selectors to make tough decisions when it comes to big-name players. He suggested that Bumrah could be rested for home Tests against the West Indies and South Africa in the upcoming season.

Furthermore, Manjrekar expressed his opinion on Jasprit Bumrah not being considered for captaincy. He found it strange that Bumrah was not even considered, despite previous captains like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma also missing matches. Manjrekar noted that Bumrah's potential unavailability for the entire series was cited as the reason, but he argued that this logic did not apply to Kohli or Sharma, who had also opted out of Test matches in the past.

Despite his criticism, Manjrekar has also praised Bumrah in the past. He has lauded Bumrah's exceptional prowess, noting his 71 wickets in 13 Tests in 2024. Manjrekar even compared Bumrah to Bollywood icon Dilip Kumar, stating that Bumrah, like Kumar, has "no weakness". He also mentioned that Bumrah finished the series with 32 wickets at an average of 13.06.

However, Manjrekar has also expressed concerns about Bumrah's on-field behavior, stating that he doesn't like to see the angry side of Bumrah. He prefers to see Bumrah smiling, even in heated situations.

Ultimately, Manjrekar's recent comments suggest a shift in perspective, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing team needs and player availability over individual brilliance. He believes that Indian cricket should not have to bend over backward to accommodate Bumrah, and that Bumrah must prioritize longevity and durability if he wants to continue serving Indian Test cricket.