Former India coach believes Jasprit Bumrah could play all 5 Test matches against England only ‘if there is…’
New Delhi: England’s upcoming five-match Test series against India benefits from the absences of several key Indian players. The retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, coupled with Jasprit Bumrah’s limited participation due to persistent back injuries, significantly weakens India’s bowling attack. Bumrah’s injury history, including a significant layoff due to a stress fracture and a recent recurrence, raises concerns about his availability and effectiveness throughout the series.
India’s hopes for their first Test series victory in England since 2007 rest heavily on Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness and availability. While coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed Bumrah won’t play all five Tests, the specific matches he’ll participate in remain undetermined.
Former Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun suggests that Jasprit Bumrah’s workload in the upcoming England Test series shouldn’t be heavily restricted, and he could potentially play all five matches. However, this hinges on the performance of the other pace bowlers; if they don’t provide adequate support, Bumrah will be forced to manage his appearances more conservatively. Arun highlights Bumrah’s exceptional performance in Australia (32 wickets), contrasting it with the struggles of his fellow pacemen. He emphasizes that this imbalance cannot be repeated in England, as it would necessitate a more selective approach for Bumrah.
“Too much bowling and too little bowling, both cause injuries. They are the perfect recipe for a bowler to get injured. So obviously we cannot control the number of overs that Jasprit Bumrah bowls in a match. But according to the number of overs bowled, the practice sessions can be trimmed down for him when he needs to be working on his recovery. It can be a strengthening session in the gym or some recovery work with physios. Handling him will be crucial,” Arun told RevSportz.
“Bumrah’s presence in the team adds a huge value. Not only does he do well; he rallies the others. The confidence with which they ride in with Bumrah in the side would definitely add a lot of value to this team. So, ideally, I expect him to play all Test matches but if there is very good support from the other bowlers, only then can Bumrah be preserved and played in all five Tests. If he is taking the brunt of the workload, then I am afraid, he will not be ready for all matches. How the others bowlers support him becomes very vital for Bumrah playing all Test matches. We’ve got to take it as it goes by rather than saying he is good for first three Test matches and then give him a break. Rather, if the other bowlers can help Bumrah play all Test matches, India can do really well.”
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