Aakash Chopra Advocates for Jasprit Bumrah's Workload Management

Aakash Chopra, the former Indian cricketer, advocates for the careful management of Jasprit Bumrah's workload, especially as he recovers from a knee injury. With Bumrah sidelined for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, Chopra stresses the need for the national team to prioritize his long-term fitness. The Indian squad, led by Shubman Gill, is preparing for the series, which begins on August 15. This article delves into the implications of Bumrah's absence and the team's strategy moving forward.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 13, 2026, 21:13 IST

Safeguarding a 'Genius' Player

Aakash Chopra, a former cricketer and commentator from India, has expressed his support for the management of Jasprit Bumrah's workload. He emphasized that the national team should adopt a flexible strategy to safeguard this 'genius' player. During his appearance on The Great Indian Cricket Show on Doordarshan, Chopra highlighted the importance of respecting Bumrah's physical needs, especially considering his critical role in the Indian cricket team across all formats. He stated, "If you possess a talent like Jasprit Bumrah, and his body signals the need for rest, why would you ignore that? Bumrah is exceptional. Many believe that if you are fit, you should play; if not, you should sit out."

Bumrah Out Due to Injury

Currently, Bumrah is sidelined and will miss India's two-Test series against Sri Lanka due to a recurring issue with his left knee, which has caused swelling. He aggravated this injury while fielding during an ODI against England on July 16. The 32-year-old fast bowler is now undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence located in Bengaluru, although no official timeline for his return has been provided. In his absence, uncapped pacer Auqib Nabi has been called up to replace him in the squad for the Sri Lanka Tests.

Coping Without Bumrah

Chopra believes that India can manage without Bumrah, asserting that the team will continue to function regardless of individual players. He reiterated the importance of prioritizing Bumrah's long-term fitness, stating, "India will adapt. Life continues, whether someone is present or not. However, if you have a talent like Bumrah, and his body requires rest, it is essential to manage that. It's quite straightforward."

India's Squad for the Sri Lanka Series

As India gears up for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, led by Shubman Gill, the first match is set to commence in Galle on August 15. The updated squad includes: Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi, and Sarfaraz Khan.