Jasprit Bumrah's Workload Worries Shane Bond Ahead
Bumrah's return to the field and fitness for the IPL remains uncertain as he recovers at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, and his workload needs to be managed to prevent further injuries, citing Bond's own experience of having a bony injury around the back that required surgery at a young age.
Shane Bond, former Mumbai Indians bowling coach, has expressed concerns about Jasprit Bumrah's workload, suggesting that playing two Tests in a row could be a risk to his career, especially after the IPL and ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Bumrah suffered a lower back injury in the Sydney Test and was ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Bond, who had a similar injury in his own career, wants Bumrah to have open conversations with the team management to manage his workload and avoid further injuries. He believes that Bumrah is too valuable for the upcoming T20 World Cup and should not be risked with too many Tests in a row.
Bond highlights the "danger" zone where fast bowlers suffer injuries, which is when they quickly transition from T20 to Test cricket. He suggests that India should give Bumrah a break and not put him under too much pressure, especially considering the upcoming five-Test series in England in June. Bumrah has been out of action since December 2023 due to a stress-related back injury, which he suffered during the New Year's Test in Sydney.
The Indian team needs to manage Bumrah's workload carefully to avoid another injury, and Bond emphasizes the importance of open conversations between Bumrah and the decision-makers in Indian cricket to chart out a safe path for his career. With the IPL and the T20 World Cup on the horizon, it remains to be seen how Bumrah's workload will be managed to prevent further injuries and ensure his fitness for the upcoming tournaments.
