Former India cricket team coach Ravi Shastri has warned Rohit Sharma and co. to be very careful with Jasprit Bumrah’s workload in the England series. Shortly after the conclusion of IPL 2025, the Men in Blue will travel to the UK for a five-match Test series which will commence in late June. Bumrah, who picked up an injury towards the end of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, managed to make a comeback only in IPL 2025 and missed the Champions Trophy.
Shastri doesn’t want India to play Bumrah in all 5 Tests
Speaking on ICC Review, Shastri said that India should ideally play Bumrah only in 4 Tests. He stressed on the need for Rohit Sharma and co. to give the pacer a break if he asks for one. He added that India might be tempted to play him in all 5 Tests but it all depended on how Bumrah’s body pulls up.
“I would be very, very careful [with Bumrah]. I would give him two Tests at a time and then wait for the break. Ideally, make him play four. You’ll be tempted to make him play five if he starts in a great manner, but it’s how his body pulls up,” Shastri said.
Bumrah was India’s most overworked bowler in the previous calendar year. As a result of carrying the entire Indian bowling attack on his back in the series against Australia, Bumrah ended up picking up a lower back injury in the 5th Test in Sydney. Subsequently, he was ruled out of the CT 2025 and only received clearance to play in the IPL 2025 in April.
“He should be given the first opportunity to say, ‘Yes, a little, [I am] feeling the niggle. A break would help.’ Give him that break,” Shastri added.
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What if Bumrah, Shami & Siraj are fully fit?
Further, the ex-Indian coach reckoned that England would have heaps of problems if the Indian pace trio of Shami-Siraj-Bumrah were fully fit for the tournament.
“I think with Siraj, Jasprit and Mohammed Shami, these three, if they are fully fit, they will give England heaps of problems. It’s a quality, top-class pace attack when you get these three fit,” Shastri said.
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