Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management has sparked strong debates in Indian cricket. Fans and experts questioned why India’s star fast bowler did not play all five Tests in the recent England series. However, Bharat Arun, the former bowling coach for India, passionately stood by the decision. He believes resting Bumrah was the only way to protect him for the future.
Bumrah ranks among the best fast bowlers in the world. However, he has battled serious back injuries in the past. In 2022, he had surgery to fix a stress fracture in his back. Although he returned successfully, Arun reminds everyone that surgery does not make a bowler injury-proof. Fast bowling takes a toll on the body, particularly on the back. Therefore, one wrong movement could end a career.
Before the England series kicked off, the team management made a definitive choice. They planned for Bumrah to play only three Tests out of five. This was not a sudden choice. Instead, they designed this strategy to protect his fitness for the long season ahead. India has crucial matches coming up in the World Test Championship cycle. Losing Bumrah again to injury would damage the team’s chances.
Despite this clear plan, critics targeted the decision. They argued that a fit player should play every match. Some even questioned Bumrah’s dedication to the team. Arun called such criticism “unfair” because it ignored medical advice and the physical demands of fast bowling.
Furthermore, some experts suggested that players should skip the IPL if they require workload management. Former captain Dilip Vengsarkar even advised Bumrah to miss the IPL to prepare better for the England tour.
Bumrah answered the criticism with his performances. In the three Tests he played, he claimed a good number of wickets and regularly troubled England’s top order. Arun pointed out that this proved the strategy worked. Bumrah stayed fresh, dangerous, and effective. Even without him in the final Test, India managed to draw the series 2-2. This result showed the squad’s depth and the success of their workload management approach.
Workload management does not mean resting players without reason. It involves careful planning to keep them healthy and in peak form for a long time. For a fast bowler like Bumrah, who delivers high pace and intensity, playing every game is unrealistic. Arun insists that if India wants Bumrah to serve the team for many more years, workload management remains the only sustainable option.
Several respected voices supported Bumrah. Ajinkya Rahane praised his courage in speaking openly about workload and fitness. Former Australian captain Michael Clarke also defended him, saying it was wrong to question Bumrah’s professionalism simply because he missed a game.
Bharat Arun’s stance leaves no doubt. He urges everyone to see that protecting a player like Bumrah is essential for India’s success. Cricket seasons are long, and injuries can strike at any time. Therefore, the team must plan rest periods carefully, even for their best players. In the end, Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management is not about skipping matches; it is about ensuring India’s best fast bowler keeps winning matches for many more years.
