'Indian Test Bowler Stands Up for Jasprit Bumrah Facing Criticism over Workload'
India's star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is set to feature in the upcoming 2025 Men's Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi from September 9 to 28. The group stage will conclude with a game against Oman in Abu Dhabi, while India's campaign opens against the UAE on September 10 in Dubai. A crucial match against rivals Pakistan is scheduled for September 14 in Dubai.
Despite Bumrah's impressive performances, including 14 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls, in the recent series, his playing schedule has been a topic of discussion. Criticism was raised by cricketing figures, including Sandeep Patil, who questioned the modern emphasis on workload management.
The BCCI and Indian team management have been proactive in managing Bumrah's workload, limiting his game time to protect his fitness and prolong his career. He played only three out of five Tests in the recent England series as part of this strategy. The decision to limit his workload remains firm due to injury risks if overused.
Bumrah's workload management in Test cricket is currently a high priority for the BCCI and Indian team management, with clear steps being taken to ensure his availability for major upcoming tournaments such as the 2026 T20 World Cup at home. The BCCI and team management are unanimous about giving Bumrah adequate rest, focusing on preserving his fitness after he underwent back surgery earlier this year.
Veteran Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has defended Bumrah against criticism, emphasizing the physical and mental toll of playing across all three formats of modern cricket. He believes that if a player can make a significant impact in fewer matches, it should be acceptable. Kumar also stated that injuries can happen to any bowler, especially those with a demanding bowling action like Bumrah's.
Kumar had a five-wicket haul at Lord's and believes it is tough for anyone to sustain playing in all formats for many years. He expressed no problem with Bumrah playing 3 out of 5 matches, noting that Bumrah is currently the World No. 1 Test bowler with 219 wickets in 48 Test matches.
The debate on Bumrah's workload management remains contentious among cricket analysts. Commentators like Sanjay Manjrekar have voiced strong opinions during the debate, indicating that the issue is far from resolved. Some former cricketers, like Sandeep Patil, have criticized the modern emphasis on workload management, while respected figures like former Australia captain Michael Clarke have acknowledged Bumrah's value to the team and supported workload management implicitly.
As the 2025 Men's Asia Cup approaches, Bumrah's role in India's campaign will be closely watched. His focused approach on the T20 International format suggests that he is ready to make a significant impact in the tournament. The Indian team will undoubtedly benefit from Bumrah's presence, as he continues to manage his workload effectively to ensure his long-term success.
Despite ongoing discussions about workload management, India's selectors have chosen to include Jasprit Bumrah in the 2025 Men's Asia Cup team to maintain the balance of sports performance and sports recovery for the star fast bowler. Bumrah's dominance on the T20 International format positions him ideally to contribute significantly to India's tournament success.
