India's assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, has shed light on the team management's decision to honor Jasprit Bumrah's request to play only three of the five Tests against England. The decision, while difficult given Bumrah's importance, was made to respect his workload and physical condition.

Bumrah, India's premier fast bowler, featured in the first Test at Headingley, the third at Lord's, and the fourth at Old Trafford, while he skipped the second Test at Edgbaston. According to ten Doeschate, Bumrah had communicated his availability for three games before the tour began, and the team felt it was right to stick to that plan.

"It's quite a complex issue around Bumrah," ten Doeschate explained. "We obviously want to wheel him in, but we also want to respect where his body's at, and on the basis of that, we just felt that it wasn't worth including him in the squad." He acknowledged the temptation to play Bumrah in all matches, especially with the series on the line, but emphasized the importance of managing his workload.

Ten Doeschate also addressed concerns about Bumrah "picking and choosing" games, dismissing the notion as unfair. He reiterated that Bumrah had left the decision of which three Tests to play up to the team management. The assistant coach stressed that all decisions were made in good faith and with the team's best interests in mind.

The decision to rest Bumrah for the crucial fifth Test at The Oval was a pre-planned move due to concerns about his back injury. Despite bowling a significant number of overs in the Tests he played, including a demanding 33 overs in the drawn Old Trafford Test, the team management remained committed to their initial plan. While Bumrah only took two wickets and conceded 100 runs in the fourth Test, the demanding schedule of five Tests in 44 days has significantly impacted both teams.

India made four changes to their playing XI for the final Test, with Prasidh Krishna replacing Bumrah in the pace attack. Dhruv Jurel took over wicketkeeping duties from Rishabh Pant, who suffered a broken foot. The team also brought in Akash Deep, who had recovered from a groin injury, and Karun Nair to strengthen the batting lineup.

The decision to stick with the plan for Bumrah highlights the importance of workload management in modern cricket, especially for fast bowlers who are prone to injuries. It also demonstrates the Indian team management's commitment to open communication and trust with their players.

Ultimately, the team's priority was to ensure Bumrah's long-term fitness and availability, even if it meant sacrificing his presence in a crucial match. This decision reflects a growing awareness in cricket of the need to balance short-term gains with the long-term well-being of players.