Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has suggested that pacer Jasprit Bumrah should prioritize white-ball cricket and participate selectively in Test matches, especially focusing on important games.
Ashwin emphasized managing Bumrah’s workload by reducing the number of Test appearances to preserve his fitness and prolong his career. He believes Bumrah’s skills are more suited to shorter formats, where his impact is crucial.
“Bumrah should focus on white-ball cricket and play Tests selectively, especially only the big ones that matter,” Ashwin advised.
Former South African great AB de Villiers also expressed support for strategic workload management for bowlers like Bumrah. He highlighted the importance of keeping key players fresh for pivotal moments in international cricket.
“It's essential to manage the workload of top fast bowlers by giving them rest during less critical matches to ensure peak performance in important fixtures,” de Villiers said.
This combined wisdom points to a potential trend where India might rest Bumrah from some home Tests, especially those perceived as less critical, to keep him sharp and injury-free for major series and limited-overs cricket.
Author's summary: Ashwin and AB de Villiers recommend managing Jasprit Bumrah’s workload by focusing on white-ball formats and playing only crucial Test matches, aiming to preserve his longevity and effectiveness.