The Indian cricket team is under scrutiny following a series of disappointing performances, triggering warnings from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding key players. The team's recent struggles include a 3-0 defeat against New Zealand and a series loss in Australia. These setbacks have raised concerns about the team's preparedness and future strategy, particularly concerning senior players and the workload management of premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.

Following the 3-0 whitewash by New Zealand, the BCCI is reportedly considering a structured phase-out policy for some senior players before the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The recent five-match Test series against Australia was a critical juncture, potentially marking the final series for at least two of the four senior players: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin. The board is expected to hold informal discussions involving key figures such as chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and captain Rohit Sharma to chart a course forward for the aging team.

Concerns have been raised about the consistency and form of senior players. For instance, between February 2021 and the recent matches, Rohit Sharma has scored 1210 runs from 35 innings in home Tests at an average of 37.81, including four centuries. However, in his last 10 innings, he has recorded six scores of less than 10 runs and two scores of less than 20, with only two half-centuries. Similarly, Virat Kohli has played 25 innings at home during the same period, scoring 742 runs at an average of 30.91, with just one century.

Jasprit Bumrah's workload management has become a central issue for the team. There are conflicting views on how frequently Bumrah should play, considering his history of injuries and his importance to India's bowling attack. Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra questioned the decision to publicize Bumrah's limited availability for the Test series against England. Chopra suggested that keeping Bumrah's schedule a secret could provide a strategic advantage, preventing the opposition from tailoring their preparations.

Concerns about Bumrah's fitness were amplified when he missed the Champions Trophy due to a stress-related injury. New Zealand pace bowling legend Shane Bond warned the BCCI that another back injury in the same spot where Bumrah had surgery "could be a career-ender." Bond, who has worked with Bumrah, emphasized the need for conservative workload management to prevent relapses.

Despite the team's struggles, Jasprit Bumrah has achieved individual milestones. In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, Bumrah finished as the highest wicket-taker with 32 wickets from nine innings, averaging 13.06, and recorded three five-wicket hauls. This performance led to him being named Player of the Series. He also surpassed Bishan Singh Bedi's record of 31 wickets from the 1977-78 tour, registering the most wickets by an Indian bowler in a single series in Australia.

However, his effectiveness against New Zealand has been questioned. In five Tests against New Zealand, Bumrah has taken only 9 wickets, averaging 45.44 with a strike rate of 92.8, which is his worst record against any opponent. This disparity raises questions about his performance against specific teams and conditions.

With India trailing 0-1 in the five-match series against England, former head coach Ravi Shastri cautioned against resting Bumrah for the second Test at Edgbaston. Shastri warned that losing without Bumrah could put India in a difficult position, potentially losing the series. He emphasized the importance of India bouncing back strongly in the second match to avoid further setbacks.

The BCCI faces critical decisions regarding team composition, senior players' future, and workload management for key players like Jasprit Bumrah. The outcome of these decisions will significantly impact India's performance in upcoming series and tournaments, as well as their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final. Balancing short-term goals with long-term player health remains a key challenge for the team management.