Why Team India management needs to be more cautious about Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness

Without an iota of doubt, Jasprit Bumrah is currently regarded as the best all-format bowler in the world. With exceptional bowling statistics across Tests, One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), Bumrah has earned high praise from cricket experts and analysts alike. However, one persistent issue has been a major concern throughout his career - injuries.

Injury Concerns Haunting Bumrah

The Indian pace spearhead has repeatedly faced setbacks due to recurring back injuries. Missing the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was not an isolated incident for Bumrah. He has been dealing with back issues for several years, most notably missing the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, followed by surgery in 2023. During the high-profile Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year, where Bumrah played all five Test matches, he developed back spasms. Consequently, he missed the Champions Trophy, leaving India without their primary strike bowler.

Shane Bond’s Warning to Indian Team Management

Former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond, who worked closely with Bumrah during his tenure as the assistant bowling coach at Mumbai Indians, recently issued a cautionary note to the Indian team management. Bond warned that another injury at the same spot could potentially be career-ending for the bowler.

Bond suggested that the Indian team management should not play Bumrah for more than two consecutive matches during the upcoming England tour. According to Bond, managing Bumrah’s workload is crucial to ensuring his long-term fitness. He emphasised that another injury to the same area could make surgery considerably more challenging and could jeopardise Bumrah’s future as an elite fast bowler.

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The Challenge of Workload Management

India’s fast bowling unit is heavily reliant on Bumrah, especially in crucial fixtures and high-stakes tournaments. However, managing his workload has emerged as a primary challenge for the team’s think tank. While his ability to bowl with blistering pace and deadly accuracy makes him indispensable, his body seems increasingly vulnerable to the physical demands of international cricket.

Bumrah is currently nursing his back injury which he suffered during the Border Gavaskar Trophy and is likely to miss the first two weeks of the Indian Premiere League for Mumbai Indians. The cash-rich league starts from March 22 where defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens.