As India and England prepare to face off in a high-stakes five-match Test series starting on June 20th, all eyes are on how India will manage the workload of their star fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah. Amidst discussions about Bumrah's availability and strategic deployment, former Australian spinner Brad Hogg has proposed a bold plan: to rest Bumrah for the first Test match.
Hogg suggests this move could serve a dual purpose. Firstly, it would allow Bumrah, who is returning from a back injury that sidelined him for nearly two months, to be fresh for the crucial second and third Tests. Secondly, it could create a psychological advantage by lulling England into a false sense of security. "I probably wouldn't even play him in the first Test match, actually," Hogg stated, suggesting that India should project an image of "we don't have Bumrah." He believes this would lead England to think, "Oh, that's good, we don't have to face Bumrah."
The rationale behind Hogg's strategy is that Bumrah can be most impactful in the second and third Tests, particularly at Edgbaston and Lord's. "You've got to be very strategic with those three Test matches," Hogg told RevSportz. "Where are you going to get the most benefit out of him? Because he can turn the game, he can turn the series on its head. So you want to make sure that you play him at Lord's, definitely, and probably Warwickshire."
By holding Bumrah back for the first match, Hogg believes India can then unleash him in the subsequent games, potentially catching England off guard. "But then they're going to start worrying about him in the second Test match. And if he turns the tide in the second Test match, then all of a sudden England are playing catch-up. So I'd add a bit of by-play there," Hogg explained.
This isn't the first time strategic workload management for Bumrah has been suggested. Sourav Ganguly previously cautioned against overworking Bumrah, emphasizing the need for other pacers to step up and warning that mismanaging his overs could lead to recurring injuries.
However, Indian captain Shubman Gill has indicated that there's no fixed plan for Bumrah's selection. His participation will be evaluated on a match-by-match basis, considering pitch conditions and his fitness. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has also hinted that Bumrah might only play in three of the five Tests, highlighting the depth of India's pace attack and their commitment to preserving Bumrah for crucial moments.
Bumrah's importance to the Indian team is undeniable. His ability toSingle-handedly turn games was evident in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he took 32 wickets in nine innings. However, his recurring back issues have forced him to miss significant matches, including the 2022 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
As the Test series approaches, the Indian team management faces a critical decision: how to best utilize Jasprit Bumrah's talents while ensuring his long-term fitness. Whether they adopt Hogg's ingenious plan or devise their strategy, the world will be watching to see how India's pace spearhead impacts this highly anticipated series against England.
