Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has weighed in on how the Indian team management should handle Jasprit Bumrah’s workload during the upcoming five-match Test series in England, emphasizing caution and strategic rotation to preserve the star pacer's fitness over the long haul.
Speaking to The ICC Review, Shastri said he would be "very, very careful" with Bumrah, especially given his history of back injuries. He suggested a plan where Bumrah plays two Tests at a time, followed by a rest. Ideally, Shastri said, India should aim for Bumrah to feature in four of the five Tests, but warned that if Bumrah starts strong, there will be a temptation to play him in all five — something that needs to be resisted based on how his body responds. Crucially, Shastri stressed that Bumrah himself should have the first say in whether he needs a break if he feels even a slight niggle.
Bumrah was sensational in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia, taking 32 wickets in five Tests — his best performance in a single Test series. Despite his brilliance, India lost the series 3-1, and Bumrah’s heavy workload may have contributed to the back injury that ruled him out of the home England series and the Champions Trophy. Now fit again, Bumrah is expected to be a key figure in England as India begins its campaign in the new ICC World Test Championship cycle (2025-27).
Shastri is optimistic about India's pace attack in England, especially with a fully fit trio of Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami. He believes these three can cause serious problems for England’s batting lineup in their own conditions, calling it a “quality, top-class” pace group.
He was particularly pleased with Siraj’s resurgence, noting how Siraj responded to the setback of being left out of India’s Champions Trophy squad. Shastri praised Siraj for returning to domestic cricket, rebuilding his rhythm, and coming back stronger, with added pace and intensity — a promising sign ahead of the England Tests.
India, fresh off their Champions Trophy win, will be keen to put behind the disappointment of their 3-1 Border-Gavaskar Trophy loss to Australia. The England series represents a fresh start under the new WTC cycle, but with conditions favoring swing and seam, how India manages its fast bowlers — particularly Bumrah — could define their success.
