Ganesh Kendale
NEW DELHI: Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management has been a topic of significant focus, especially given his importance to India’s cricket team in all formats.
Bumrah, known for his unique bowling action, pace, and ability to bowl yorkers, has had to navigate injury concerns in recent years, particularly with back issues that saw him miss several key series, including parts of 2022 and 2023.
To ensure Bumrah’s longevity, India’s cricket management, along with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), have taken a more cautious approach, especially regarding his participation in matches across formats.
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Addressing a press conference in Pune on Wednesday, head coach Gautam Gambhir said that the team will decide on Bumrah’s workload after the second Test against New Zealand starting on Thursday.
India will decide on resting the star fast bowler after the second Test because Bumrah has played all three Test matches at home this season and the Australia tour is less than a month away.
“Once the series is over, we still have around 10 or 12 days before the (first) Test starts in Australia. That is enough break for our fast bowlers as well. But we will still monitor after this Test match where Jasprit Bumrah is,” Gambhir said.
“But it’s not only about Jasprit Bumrah. It’s about with all the fast bowlers as well. We want to keep them fresh. We know that obviously we’ve got a long tour and an important tour of Australia.
“Workload management will definitely depend on what the outcome of this Test match is and how much have they bowled in this match,” he added.
Bumrah’s comeback during the 2023 Asia Cup and subsequent participation in the World Cup have shown that workload management and injury prevention are being prioritized to ensure his availability for key matches while reducing the risk of future injuries.
