NEW DELHI: There is no debate that Jasprit Bumrah is Team India's biggest match-winner, and the pace spearhead has repeatedly shown his ability to pull the team out of difficult situations. But his workload management continues to remain a major talking point in Indian cricketing circles.
Former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri has joined the debate by taking an indirect dig at chief selector Ajit Agarkar on how to manage Bumrah's workload. Shastri did not mince his words, saying one needs to have brains to properly use Bumrah in international cricket.
'He took it to heart': Ashwin reveals the fire behind Virat Kohli's fiery century celebration
"Bumrah is a dada bowler. Bumrah ko lene ke liye bhi akal hona chahiye na. (For utilising Bumrah, you need to have brains). You made him a white-ball bowler, so how has he become a red-ball bowler?" said Shastri on Prabhat Khabar.
However, Bumrah has faced criticism over workload management, and the Indian pace spearhead came under massive backlash for missing the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval in August this year, with the visitors trailing 1-2 and on the brink of losing the series.
Shastri's role in shaping Bumrah's Test career
It's important to remember the key role Shastri played in ushering Bumrah into Test cricket. Before his red-ball debut, many experts and fans doubted whether the Mumbai Indians pacer had the action or durability for the longest format. Yet Bumrah has not only survived - he has shattered those assumptions with world-class performances across conditions.
Earlier this year, however, the workload caught up with him. After featuring in all five Tests against Australia, Bumrah developed back spasms during the final match in Sydney.
The setback ruled him out of the Champions Trophy and the early phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In the wake of that injury, the current team management has been far more cautious, drawing up a detailed workload plan to manage the spearhead's fitness.
