“Protect Bumrah, or Team India Will Suffer a Big Loss,” Warns New Zealand Coach
Cricket fans eagerly await the return of India’s star fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, to the field. Since playing in the Test series against Australia in January, Bumrah has been absent from crucial matches. Former Australian cricketer and current New Zealand coach Shane Bond has blamed Team India’s workload management for his absence. He claimed that excessive bowling and mismanagement prevented India from utilizing Bumrah in the crucial Champions Trophy matches. Bond also advised against overburdening him to ensure his long-term availability.
Fans had hoped to see Bumrah return for the Champions Trophy, but he did not. Reports now suggest that he might make a comeback in IPL 2025, though no official date has been confirmed. Recently, a video of Bumrah practicing in the nets at the National Cricket Academy went viral, reigniting discussions about his return.
Workload Management Led to Bumrah’s Injury
Speaking to the media, Shane Bond stated that Bumrah underwent surgery in 2023. Later, he played the Test series against Australia and delivered strong performances. However, he was made to bowl frequently within a short period. While he did not suffer a fracture, he sustained a borderline injury due to excessive workload. Despite the risk, he was made to bowl relentlessly in multiple matches without adequate rest, playing five consecutive Test matches in Australia. As a result, Team India is now paying the price for poor workload management.
Bond’s Advice to Gambhir: “Protect Bumrah”
Bond advised Team India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, and captain, Rohit Sharma, saying, “Do not repeat the mistakes made in Australia. Do not impose a heavy workload on Bumrah during the five-match Test series in England. If you do, you risk losing him, and his career could be in jeopardy.”
Jasprit Bumrah – A Crucial Asset for Team India
Jasprit Bumrah is one of India’s finest fast bowlers across all formats—T20s, ODIs, and Tests. If he is not managed properly, Team India could face a significant setback. Winning major tournaments like the T20 World Cup and ODI World Cup would become much more challenging, and even IPL teams would feel his absence. Proper workload management is essential to ensure his longevity and continued success on the field.
