With India in a must-win situation heading into the fourth Test against England in Manchester, the focus has shifted back to star bowler Jasprit Bumrah and the ongoing workload management argument. With the visitors trailing 1-2 in the five-match series, Shubman Gill and his squad must win their next encounter. With injury concerns and limited alternatives in the squad, former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has spoken out on Bumrah’s likely availability and the issue of player fatigue.
Before the series began, Indian management announced that Bumrah will only play three of the five Tests to maintain his fitness. The decision was inspired by his workload during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia, where he bowled for extended periods and sustained a back injury. Bumrah has already played two Tests in the England series and is set to play only one of the next two.
However, with the team suffering from a number of injuries, including those to Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Rishabh Pant, the visitors are anticipated to bring in Bumrah for the crucial encounter at Old Trafford. Speaking on the sidelines of the World Cricket League 2025, the former questioned the usage of the term workload management in modern cricket.
“See, workload management is a new concept. When the IPL began, many predicted that I would bowl 24 balls in a match and be completely accurate, and this is how people practiced. What if you went back in time? What was the workload? The workload was fitness-related. Previously, players competed in a five-match series. But, yes, if someone is concerned about the injuries, you must exercise caution,” Harbhajan Singh explained.
Jasprit Bumrah’s is the most honest cricketer out there. Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan described Bumrah as one of the most honest cricketers in the game today. But he mentioned that the renowned fast bowler overbowled himself in Australia, resulting in injuries.
“But look, Jasprit is the most honest cricketer out there. If he is not in agony, he will not only bowl a 4-over spell, but also a 10-over spell for you. He also did that in Australia. He was wounded as a result of his excessive bowling. His actions make an important contribution to this.
His run-up is brief, and you must bowl at fast speeds, so the finish of his movement places a lot of strain on the body. If his body is in good condition, make him play five Tests. If he plays all five Tests, India will win the series. Ask any opposition member, and they will tell you that they do not want to face Bumrah,” he added.
Harbhajan also encouraged team management to incorporate wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI, saying that Kuldeep may be the missing link against England’s Bazball strategy. He also voiced unhappiness with the handling of rookie batter Sai Sudharsan, who was dropped after only one Test.
“Kuldeep should play. England’s preferred cricketing style will be ineffective against Kuldeep. He may be your surprise bowler against them. You need to remove one batter from the squad. If it were up to me, I’d drop Nitish Reddy and bring in Kuldeep. I would have stayed with Sai Sudharsan. I wouldn’t have kicked him out after one game.
You gave him a shot at No.3 instead of Karun Nair, and you should have kept him for at least three matches. He is a fantastic talent who deserves the support of the team management. You played him above Karun and then dropped him. Now there’s a chance you’ll drop Karun from the next game as well; this just spoils the flow, doesn’t it?” he concluded.
India
