Jasprit Bumrah's recent tour of England has been a focal point of discussion within the cricketing fraternity, marked by both praise for his skill and scrutiny regarding his workload management. The IndianExpress.com noted that Bumrah was slated to participate in only three of the five Tests during the England tour, a decision that was made clear by chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar when the squad was announced. Head coach Gautam Gambhir also reiterated this plan, emphasizing that Bumrah's participation would be limited to a maximum of three games, irrespective of the series situation.
Bumrah himself addressed the situation, stating that he was "pretty clear" about his plans and communicated them effectively. He emphasized the importance of putting the team first, ensuring that his personal decisions wouldn't negatively impact the team's performance. Speaking to Sky Sports, Bumrah explained that he had discussed his workload with medical professionals and the BCCI, concluding that he needed to be smart about managing his body. He also said, "The BCCI was looking at me at leadership. But then I had to say no. It's not fair for the team as well that in a five Test-match series, someone is leading in three matches and someone else in two matches. I cannot be dictating if I'd have been the captain that, 'okay, I'll only play three Test matches'. That doesn't send a good message to the team".
This approach to workload management has drawn mixed reactions. Some observers, like former Australian captain Michael Clarke, defended Bumrah, asserting that any team is better with him. Clarke also commended the other Indian pacers for stepping up, particularly in the fifth Test at The Oval, which India won to level the series 2-2.
However, others have been critical. Irfan Pathan, for instance, expressed disappointment in Bumrah's impact, despite his impressive wicket tally. Pathan argued that Bumrah didn't display enough "killer instinct" in crucial moments and pointed to instances where he could have bowled longer spells or varied his approach to create more pressure. Pathan gave Bumrah a rating of "six out of ten", stating, "When you're a senior player, there is a lot of responsibility to win matches. He played three Tests, and India didn't win any of them".
The debate around Bumrah's workload management also intersects with the broader discussion about his potential captaincy. In light of Rohit Sharma's retirement from Test cricket, Bumrah was considered a candidate for the captaincy. However, he opted out of the race, citing his inability to commit to all five Tests due to workload management. He felt it would be unfair to the team if he were to lead in only some of the matches. This decision ultimately led to Shubman Gill being named as captain.
Despite the scrutiny, Bumrah's confidence in the Indian bowling attack remains strong. He believes the unit has the capability to trouble any team, regardless of conditions. He acknowledged the challenges of playing in England, particularly with the Dukes ball and the swinging conditions. However, he expressed confidence in his ability to perform well, while also recognizing the need to be smart about managing his workload.
Ultimately, the management of Jasprit Bumrah's workload is a complex issue with no easy answers. It requires a delicate balance between preserving his fitness and maximizing his impact on the field. As Bumrah himself stated, "Whenever you play for India, you never think 'I'm not going to do this, I'm not going to do that. I'm going to protect myself.' But going further, you have to be smart".
