Shreyas Iyer and Jasprit Bumrah [Source: AFP]Jasprit Bumrah's return to India's T20I setup has once again put the spotlight on one of the most valuable players in the country's white-ball plans. The fast bowler's journey back has been marred with injuries and workload management repeatedly interrupting his progress. After another period away from action, Bumrah is now back in the mix playing in the India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I match on September 13 and captain Shreyas Iyer had a few words for him.Shreyas Iyer Shares Special Message For BumrahShreyas Iyer has welcomed Jasprit Bumrah's return to the Indian squad, describing the fast bowler as a luxury for any team fortunate enough to have him available.“I Think it's a luxury to have him in the squad because he's immensely experienced and he carries a lot of great attitude when it comes to winning matches. So, we know he's a match winner and we know what he's got to offer,” Iyer said.Jasprit Bumrah’s injury chapter began with a lower-back injury during the final Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Sydney on January 4, 2025. He was subsequently advised to undergo a minimum of five weeks of rest and, despite initially being named in India's Champions Trophy squad, was eventually ruled out after scans showed lingering discomfort.During India's 2026 campaign, Bumrah faced further workload management and also suffered a left-knee impact injury that resulted in reactive swelling, forcing him to miss multiple major fixtures like the Lord's ODI.Also Read- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Gets Taste Of Jasprit Bumrah Music Before IND vs AFG 1st T20IJasprit Bumrah's Impact As T20I Bowler For IndiaBumrah's T20I numbers underline why India have been so careful with his workload. Across 95 matches and 92 innings, he has taken 121 wickets at an average of 18.08 and an economy rate of 6.52, with a strike rate of 16.64.His impact has been particularly evident during his best years. In 2016, he picked up 28 wickets in 21 matches, establishing himself as a major component of India's T20I attack. He followed that with 12 wickets in 2017 and eight in 2018 before injury and workload interruptions affected his appearances.Bumrah's efficiency reached another level in the later stages of his career. In 2023, he took four wickets from two matches at an extraordinary average of 9.75. A year later, he produced 15 wickets in eight T20Is at 8.27, while conceding only 4.18 runs per over.In 2026, he has already taken 18 wickets from 12 matches, including his best T20I figures of 4/15.Bumrah's Comeback Makes Way For Asian Games 2026Bumrah's return could prove especially significant with the Asian Games 2026 ahead. He is already included in India's squad alongside Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakravarthy and Yash Thakur.If Jasprit Bumrah gets through the three-match IND vs AFG T20I series without another injury setback, it would provide India with a major boost heading into the Asian Games. More importantly, completing the series would give the team greater confidence about his workload and ability to sustain competitive cricket.With Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson and several other T20 specialists also in the squad, India already possess considerable batting depth. Adding a fully fit Bumrah to that group could give India a bowler capable of changing a match just by his presence.Also Read- "Vaibhav Must Play...": Sooryavanshi's T20I Snub After Player Of The Series Shocks Netizens
