Aakash Chopra Advocates for Jasprit Bumrah's Workload Management

Former cricketer Aakash Chopra has voiced his support for managing Jasprit Bumrah's workload, emphasizing the need for flexibility in protecting the fast bowler's health. With Bumrah sidelined due to a knee injury, Chopra believes that prioritizing his long-term fitness is crucial for the Indian team. As India prepares for a two-Test series against Sri Lanka, the discussion around Bumrah's role and recovery continues to be a focal point. Discover more about the team's strategy and Bumrah's significance in this insightful article.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 13, 2026, 23:48 IST

Importance of Managing Bumrah's Workload

In a recent discussion on The Great Indian Cricket Show aired on Doordarshan, former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra expressed his support for the careful management of Jasprit Bumrah's workload. He emphasized the need for the national team to adopt a flexible strategy to safeguard the well-being of this exceptional player.

Chopra pointed out that if Bumrah's body signals a need for rest, it should not be overlooked, especially considering his crucial role in the Indian squad across all formats. He stated, "When you have a talent like Jasprit Bumrah, and if he requires some downtime, why wouldn't you accommodate that? There are various opinions suggesting that if a player is fit, they should participate, but if not, they should refrain from playing."

Currently, Bumrah is sidelined for India's upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka due to a recurring issue with his left knee, which he aggravated while fielding during an ODI against England on July 16.

The 32-year-old fast bowler is undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, with no specific timeline for his return. In his absence, uncapped pacer Auqib Nabi has been included in the squad for the Sri Lanka Tests.

Chopra reassured that India would manage without Bumrah, highlighting the importance of prioritizing the fast bowler's long-term fitness. He remarked, "India will continue to function. Life goes on, whether someone is present or not. However, if you possess a talent like Bumrah, and his body requires rest, it is essential to manage that effectively. It's quite straightforward."

Bumrah has been a pivotal player for India in recent years, and discussions surrounding his workload have been frequent due to the rigors of international cricket and his history of injuries.

As India, under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, gears up for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, the first match is set to commence in Galle on August 15.

The updated squad for India 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.