Managing the workload of Team India’s key players, particularly the fast bowlers, has always been a top priority. The team management has been making sure that their top players get enough rest before they are included in a busy schedule. This approach has also been used to manage Jasprit Bumrah’s workload before the team plays 10 Test matches leading up to the World Test Championship final.
Bumrah has been given a lot of rest by the Indian team management after he was named Player of the Tournament in the Men’s T20 World Cup, where he took 15 wickets. He has also been rested from the first round of the upcoming Duleep Trophy, which will take place in Bengaluru and Anantapur in September.
Former Indian cricket player Dinesh Karthik has praised Bumrah, comparing him to a precious diamond for the team. In an interview with Cricbuzz, he mentioned that Bumrah, a top fast bowler, needs to be carefully managed to ensure he stays in good shape and plays for a long time.
Karthik said, “Bumrah is composed, calm, and shows good maturity. However, as a fast bowler, the main question for the selectors is how to use him in all three formats of the game. For someone like Bumrah, it’s important to keep an eye on his fitness and protect him as a player, only allowing him to play in crucial matches.”
“I’ve mentioned this before about Bumrah, he’s like a precious diamond. We need to safeguard him, look after him, and ensure he stays in the game for as long as possible because Bumrah always makes a difference when he plays, no matter the format. Making him captain and overworking him could lead to injuries, which would be a big issue,” Karthik explained.
Considering India is set to play ten Test matches, including the significant Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia later this year, Karthik believes the Duleep Trophy is essential for discovering backup fast bowlers.
“During the Duleep Trophy, two types of players will be extremely important: fast bowlers and middle-order batsmen. Let’s focus on fast bowlers: Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, and then, who would be the fourth and fifth medium-pace bowlers? Because when you play a five-match Test series, you need a strong group of fast bowlers in Australia, ready to step in at any moment.”
“Shami, Siraj, and Bumrah are already chosen, but who will be the other three fast bowlers? I can think of Akash Deep. People are mentioning Mayank Yadav, but I’m not sure if he can handle five days of cricket without getting hurt, and he has a history of injuries, just like Khaleel Ahmed.”
The former wicketkeeper-batter also said that India is using the Duleep Trophy to find the next group of off-spinners and fast-bowling all-rounders.
“India is definitely searching for a new off-spinner. In the last India ‘A’ series against England Lions, they tested three off-spinners in three games: Pulkit Narang, Washington Sundar, and Saransh Jain.”
“They are testing players, and Washington Sundar is currently the top choice after Ravichandran Ashwin. He has performed well in the few chances he’s had, and I believe he will be recognized first before anyone else.
Regarding fast-bowling all-rounders, we know it’s tough to find such talents. There aren’t many in India. Nitish Kumar Reddy is strong and needs to develop further as a cricketer. People will be watching him, and Shivam Dube has experience in limited-overs cricket, but I’d be surprised if he’s kept for Test matches.”
