Jasprit Bumrah's Role in Upcoming Test Series: Insights from Bharat Arun

Bumrah's Inclusion in the Squad

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has revealed an 18-member squad for the upcoming five-match Test series in England, featuring Jasprit Bumrah. During a pre-series press briefing in India, coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed that Bumrah is set to participate in all three Tests, although the specific matches have yet to be determined.

Managing Bumrah's Workload

In a recent discussion with RevSports, Bharat Arun, the former bowling coach of India, noted that it is not unusual for Bumrah to play in all five Tests. However, he emphasized the importance of managing his workload effectively. Arun explained that simply reducing the number of overs Bumrah bowls in a Test does not guarantee injury prevention. Instead, it is crucial to focus on how he is treated during practice and recovery sessions.

"They are a perfect recipe for some bowler to get injured. So, obviously, we cannot control the number of overs that Jasprit Bumrah bowls in a match.”

“But according to the number of overs he bowls in the match, the practice sessions can be toned down for him where he needs to be working on his recovery. It can be a strength training session in the gym or some recovery work with the physios.”

Importance of Team Support

Arun further elaborated that Bumrah's role is not only vital for his performance but also for providing support to his fellow bowlers. Having worked closely with Bumrah, he believes that with adequate backing from the other bowlers, Bumrah can handle the demands of all Tests. He stated,

"So, handling him will be very crucial. And as you rightly mentioned, Bumrah’s presence in the team adds huge value. Not only does he do well, but he also rallies the other bowlers.”

“So, ideally, I would expect him to play all the Test matches. If there is very good support from the other bowlers, Bumrah can be preserved and play in all the five Test matches. If he is going to be bowling, taking a lot of the workload, then I am afraid he will not be ready for all five Tests. So, how the other bowlers support him becomes very vital. So, we have got to take it as you go, rather than saying he is good for the first three Test matches, and then you need to give him a break. The other bowlers can help Bumrah play in all the Test matches if they are bowling really well.”

Bumrah's Recent Injury History

It is worth noting that Jasprit Bumrah faced a stress fracture during the Sydney Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which sidelined him from significant tournaments. However, he made a return to play in the 2025 Indian Premier League. Before departing for England, Gambhir reassured that the Indian team possesses a strong lineup capable of compensating for Bumrah's absence in the other two Tests.