The decision to restrict Jasprit Bumrah from featuring in all five India vs England Test matches has garnered varied responses. Some believe managing the world’s best bowler’s workload is essential, not just for him but for Team India. Others seem to believe that bowlers, including Bumrah, are never unfit for the Indian Premier League (IPL) but remain injured while representing the nation.
IPL: The reason behind workload management?
Basically, claiming that players chose money over playing for Team India. This is an overwhelming belief many former cricketers hold as well, primarily those who didn’t play in the IPL. Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has insinuated that all the talk of workload management emerged after the IPL became one of the biggest entities in cricket.
“See, workload management is a new thing. Once the IPL came, people started saying, ‘I’ll bowl 24 balls in a match, and they’ll be absolutely spot on,’ and that’s how players trained. If you go back in time, what was workload? Workload was fitness. Players played five-match series back then, too. But yes, if someone is concerned about injury, then you do need to be careful,” Harbhajan said on the sidelines of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025.
Bumrah would bowl 10-over spells if fit
However, he firmly stood behind Bumrah. Having played for the Mumbai Indians together, Harbhajan knows the pacer well. He says that Bumrah would bowl 10 overs on the trot if fitness permitted him. But knowing that an injury could potentially end his career, Bumrah and the medical staff at the BCCI aren’t willing to risk anything.
“But look, Jasprit is the most honest cricketer out there. If he’s not in pain, he won’t just bowl a four-over spell—he’ll give you a 10-over spell. He did that in Australia, too. He bowled so much there that he got injured. His action contributes to that. His run-up is short, and to bowl at high speed, the finish of his action puts a lot of stress on the body. If his body is fine, make him play all five Tests. If he plays five Tests, India will win the series. Ask any opposition—they’ll all say they don’t like facing Bumrah,” Harbhajan added.
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