Will Jasprit Bumrah play the 4th Test?
Team India, currently trailing 1-2 in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series, is rethinking its widely criticized workload management policy for Jasprit and considering bringing the pace spearhead back into the lineup for the 4th Test.
Has Team India erred by putting all eggs in one bowling basket by over-relying on one player, and is it time for Team India to look beyond Jasprit Bumrah in Test Cricket?
Introduction
When Jasprit Bumrah missed the second Test against England as part of his workload management, it sparked serious questions about the BCCI and the selectors’ decision to rest him between Test matches. Critics pointed out that there was ample time between the two games for recovery and workload management, making his exclusion seem unnecessary.
India should prioritize selecting fully fit players who are capable of being available for all matches in a five-Test series, ensuring consistency and reliability throughout the tour, especially when matches are played against stronger opposition.
An Indian cricketer shouldn’t have the liberty to pick and choose games in a series under the guise of workload management. A player is either fit to play or not, there shouldn’t be a middle ground.
India’s decision to rest Bumrah for the second Test of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, citing workload management, has drawn criticism and raised eyebrows among several former cricketers.
Despite a seven-day gap following the first Test in Leeds, Bumrah was rested for the second Test. The decision was taken with India trailing in the series after their opening defeat, a move that baffled many.
Allowing Jasprit Bumrah to choose which games he plays disrupts the stability and rhythm of India’s bowling attack, affecting team balance and consistency.
Injuries are an inevitable part of the game, and a player missing a Test match due to injury is understandable. But choosing to sit out a crucial Test solely for workload management is truly baffling.
Pressure on other young Bowlers
Expecting Akash Deep, who replaced Bumrah, to have a near-perfect game from the ball one to avoid being dropped once Bumrah returns for the third Test is unfair to the young fast bowler. Fortunately, Akash played well enough to secure his spot for the next match.
It’s unfortunate when young bowlers get opportunities only when Bumrah is rested with the workload management theory, rather than being given a fair chance to establish themselves consistently.
Bowlers, like batsmen, need consistent opportunities to prove themselves. Bumrah’s on-and-off approach disrupts the team’s balance and stability.
Why Work load Management?
The workload management approach was implemented after Bumrah sustained an injury during the previous five-Test series Down Under in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy that saw Bumrah out of action for a long period of time.
Mohammed Shami being left out
India’s experienced Mohammed Shami also returned from injury during the IPL 2025 season, like Bumrah. Unfortunately, the same yardstick was not extended to Shami, and he was left out of the squad for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. So, why wasn’t Shami’s workload considered under the same workload management theory?
India to Play Jasprit Bumrah for the Fourth Test
While India won without Bumrah in the second Test, a loss in the Manchester Test without the speedster will end the series for Team India.
With India trailing 1-2 in the five-Test series, Team India must level the series in Manchester to keep their hopes of a series victory alive in the final Test at the Oval.
India can afford to rest Bumrah for the 5th Test if the results don’t go India’s way at Manchester.
On the other hand, if India wins in Manchester with Bumrah playing in the 4th Test, then can Team India afford to implement the workload management theory and rest Bumrah for the Oval Test?
India’s assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, indicated that Jasprit Bumrah is likely to play in the crucial fourth Test against England in Manchester.
Ten Doeschate said about Bumrah’s availability for the balance two test matches, “But again, we’ve got to look at all the factors.a How many days of cricket are we going to get up there? What do we feel is our best chance of winning that game? And then how that fits in together with the Oval and looking at the last two games holistically as part of the series,” .
The statement from the Indian support staff only highlights how heavily and worryingly dependent the team is on the fitness of just one bowler.
After India’s defeat at Lord’s, former players like Anil Kumble urged the team management to push Bumrah to play the final two Tests to save the series.
Why India struggles to create quality Fast bowlers
India struggles to consistently produce high-quality fast bowlers due to a mix of factors, including traditional playing conditions that favor spin, an emphasis on batting, and challenges in developing proper technique and effective injury prevention strategies.
Bowlers tend to play all formats of the game. This creates fatigue and exhaustion which invariably brings down the quality of the bowler and invites injuries too.
Ideally, bowlers should be rested in 1 format out of the three once they make it to the national level.
Views from our Regular Readers at SuperSports
Nilesh Dadpe
“He has to play both, let’s set correct expectations before the tour, else not take him, we can’t be acting on his whims and fancies”.
Vivek Gaidhani
“Yes, ideally, Bumrah has to play both Tests. However, the decision largely depends on his physical condition and physio’s recommendations.”
SuperSports Views
Bumrah is currently the second-highest wicket-taker in the series, claiming 12 wickets in four innings at an average of 28.09, leaving no doubt about his effectiveness and capabilities.
Bumrah was scheduled to play a maximum of three Tests in the series as part of a pre-determined workload management plan, but who exactly decided this?
This approach risks setting a wrong precedent for all established players in the future. A player should either be selected for the entire series or not at all, there shouldn’t be partial participation.
Indian cricket must start looking beyond Bumrah and plan for the future. Bumrah should consider retiring from one or two formats, allowing his body sufficient time to rest and maintain full fitness for the format he chooses to focus on.
If India’s no.1 bowler cannot consistently play all Test matches in a series, especially series in SENA countries, then it’s time for India to look beyond Bumrah and invest in building a strong pool of young fast bowlers for the future.
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