'Rules excused for a few' - Sadagoppan Ramesh slams selection bias involving Bumrah

Sadagoppan Ramesh has criticised India's team management for applying different fitness standards to Jasprit Bumrah and Harshit Rana. Bumrah recently suffered a left knee injury that forced him out of the Sri Lankan Test series. Reports suggested that Bumrah could play India A red-ball games in New Zealand before the two-Test series against the Kiwis to prove his match fitness.

Ramesh expressed his concerns about the inconsistent approach taken by the selection committee. The former India batter highlighted that Bumrah was being asked to play domestic cricket to demonstrate his readiness, yet Harshit was treated differently despite his own injury concerns.

"It's being reported that because Bumrah hadn't played a red-ball game since November last year, he must play the India A games against New Zealand for selection. It's a fair rationale and the right decision. With him, it is a knee injury. Yet, you selected Harshit Rana straight from knee surgery into the squad. It's so clear that some rules are excused for some at different times," Ramesh said on his YouTube channel.

Bumrah's fitness requirements versus Harshit's selection

Harshit missed the 2026 T20 World Cup and the following IPL season due to knee surgery. He was immediately included in the national squad for the T20I series in Ireland and England without any match practice. However, Harshit reinjured himself midway through the England T20I series, suffering a hamstring injury that ruled him out for the rest of the tour.

Inconsistent standards for established and emerging players

Ramesh further elaborated on the disparity in how established players and newer talent are treated. He pointed out that senior cricketers face greater scrutiny regarding their fitness and availability.

Also Read: 'I still remember those sixes' - CSK's Akash Madhwal names toughest batter he has bowled to

"Keep the parameters the same for everyone is what I am saying. In fact, the more established and proven cricketers are clearly the ones under the most pressure. Like Bumrah, even Shami was asked to prove his fitness. Yet, how Harshit Rana was picked straightaway from injury has been given no explanation, and the BCCI has never spoken about it," Ramesh said.

"If this is the case, why not let Bumrah go in Tests? You anyway keep saying that in transition, we don't want superstar players and bravely decide to go without them. Like that, say we don't want Bumrah either. Obviously you can't because there is no other Bumrah," he added.