Former Indian bowler Ashish Nehra dismissed the concept of having a predetermined schedule for Jasprit Bumrah’s outings in England’s next five-Test series, which begins on June 20 in Leeds. According to recent sources, Bumrah is expected to participate in the first, third, and fifth Test matches as India plans to implement a workload control technique to preserve his fitness.
At the end of last year, the 31-year-old participated in the first four Test matches in India’s most recent series in Australia. Nevertheless, he was unable to play the full second innings of the fifth Test in Sydney due to a back ailment.
Prior to his injury recovery, Bumrah missed India’s next few white-ball contests, including the 2025 Champions Trophy and the first few IPL 2025 games.
Speaking to the media on Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management on the eve of the first India-England Test, Nehra stated (via Hindustan Times):
“On Bumrah’s workload, the judge won’t be Gill, it will be the fast bowler himself. On some occasions, we have seen Bumrah picking up five wickets in 12-13 overs. That’s how skilful he is. It’s the bowler who will tell the physio and the captain on how his body is coping. You can’t script this, this is not a movie.”
Ashish Nehra
He continued:
“I have been hearing that Bumrah will play the 1st, 3rd and the 5th Test. But what if it rains in the first Test? You can’t make these plans well in advance. Who knows, he may feel good to play back-to-back Tests.”
Ashish Nehra
Since the beginning of 2024, Bumrah has been in scorching form in the Test format, taking an astounding 73 wickets at an average of 15 in 14 games.
“Looking at playing three Test matches” – Jasprit Bumrah on the India-England series
Jasprit Bumrah said that he will likely play three of the five Tests in the forthcoming England series. With nine appearances and 37 wickets at an average of 26.27, the champion bowler has an incredible red-ball record in England.
Jasprit Bumrah discussed his workload management on Sky Cricket in the lead-up to the series, stating (via India Today):
“I’m definitely looking at playing three Test matches. That’s the plan for now. Obviously, the exact number is not fixed yet, but the first one is certainly on. We’ll have to see how things go — the workload, the match scenarios, all of that. But yes, at this moment, three Tests is what I feel I can manage comfortably without putting myself in a desperate situation.”
Jasprit Bumrah
Team India is hoping to end an 18-year drought in England, having last won a Test series on English soil in 2007.
