- By Namrata Vijay
- Wed, 06 Aug 2025 09:17 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
IND vs ENG: The Indian team management and Jasprit Bumrah might soon be looking down at making an impossible choice- to protect his fragile, injury-prone body or preserve his skills, which helped him become one of the best fast bowlers of the modern era. Considering the issues around his workload management and the notion of picking and choosing games, this decision has become more important.
As far as his standards are concerned, Bumrah had registered a below-par performance in the recently concluded Test series. He had taken just 14 wickets after playing in three matches, and his brilliance went down throughout this series. His bowling performances didn't turn the tide of the matches like they used to, and the spark that once made him unplayable in any condition had disappeared. But the bigger picture is not just about his form but also his longevity.
Fortunately, there is a dearth of talent in the Indian cricket system. Bowlers like Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep, Akash Deep, and others do provide depth and might even force the team management to look for rotation in the fast bowlers. This is the time that they can rethink how they can use Bumrah not just shortly, but also how he can step away from the game beautifully, or be completely exhausted.
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Burden of fragility
Jasprit Bumrah and injuries go hand-in-hand. Despite him being fully fit, the threat of him getting worn out always remains. Is he recovering from something? Will he be playing in the whole series? What would happen if he were forced to bowl an extra over?
It's tough being Jasprit Bumrah- as someone who is not just a match-winner but also someone who sprints away from another layoff. The mental effect of that notion, which is not publicly acknowledged, shouldn't go unnoticed.
Bumrah doesn't have the advantage of plot armour. His bones have been broken, and stress fractures don't just heal themselves.
The calendar doesn't care
The Men in Blue do play more cricket than anyone else in the world. This includes Test series, white-ball tours, ICC tournaments, franchise cricket- it is never-ending. Bumrah, who was once considered an all-format warhorse, now usually plays in selected series and ICC tournaments and still manages to get injured.
Now the real question is, is it possible for Bumrah to continue playing in the longest format without suffering from a long-term injury?