Managing player workload is a major focus for the Indian cricket team, especially for fast bowlers. As a result, there are discussions about not playing Jasprit Bumrah in the Test series against Bangladesh. Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has praised Bumrah, calling him the ‘Kohinoor’ of the team, and made a special appeal to head coach Gautam Gambhir.
A Selection Dilemma
During a discussion on Cricbuzz, wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik praised Jasprit Bumrah and emphasized the need to manage his workload carefully for a long and successful career. Karthik said, “Bumrah is very calm and has matured now. He is a fast bowler, and how can we play him in all three formats? This will be a complex issue for the selectors. It’s crucial to take care of Bumrah’s fitness. We should save him for important matches.”
The Kohinoor of the Team
Karthik further stated that Jasprit Bumrah is like the Kohinoor diamond for Team India. He said, “We need to look after him so he can play cricket for a long time. Whenever he plays in any format, he brings a special flair. If he is made a captain, the pressure on him might increase, and if he is sent to play in too many series, there is a risk of injury. This could put Team India in a difficult situation.”
Looking at Jasprit Bumrah’s performance in 2024, he has not played any One Day Internationals but made a significant impact in T20 matches, taking 15 wickets in 8 games during the T20 World Cup. He also played five Test matches this year, taking 27 wickets, making him the leading Test wicket-taker for India this year.
