 "A still of Jasprit Bumrah from the England series. AP")
Team India’s bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has become a centre of discussion lately in the world of cricket. Bumrah, who got released from the Indian squad on Day 2 of the 5th Test against England , has garnered attention due to concerns related to his workload management.
Aware of how much he can push himself physically, the pacer had conveyed in advance that he would feature in only three games during the England tour. Keeping his word, Bumrah played 1st, 3rd and 4th Test of the series, and following that, the team management did not risk him for the fifth and final Test. What transpired earlier in the Australian tour may have also played a part in the decision. However, the uncalled-for affairs where Team India is facing a must-win situation and having to pull off the task without its front-line pacer has brought further steam on the aspect of Bumrah’s workload management.
Glenn McGrath on Jasprit Bumrah’s plight
While a number of experts have already addressed the situation of Jasprit Bumrah and have recommended varied measures, legendary Australian pacer Glenn McGrath has also entered the bracket. McGrath weighed in on Bumrah’s future and the challenge of balancing formats.
“You want your best bowler bowling. And he’ll want to bowl all the time. If he’s just bowling in short spells, then the batting team know they just can get through the three or four overs and then they’re away,” McGrath told The Indian Express.
According to McGrath, Team India can tackle the case by grooming capable substitutes who can share his workload, so that he does not have to bowl long spells. Lastly, the Aussie suggested that the final decision will reside with Bumrah, and let him decide what’s best for him.
He further said, “So it depends a lot on the other bowlers. You need another group of fast bowlers coming through to balance it out so that he doesn’t have to bowl long spells. You’ve got other bowlers bowling equally as well to carry the workload. You look at Bumrah, he’s so effective in ODI and T20 cricket. To limit himself to Test cricket would be a shame. But, he’s got to work out what’s best for him.”