For a while now, the tale of famed pacer Jasprit Bumrah and his struggle with workload management has been selling like a hotcake. Bumrah only participated in three matches in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 (the first, third, and fourth Tests at Headingley, Lord’s, and Manchester, respectively) and was left out of the starting lineup for the current fifth Test. He finished his tour with 14 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls.
Jasprit Bumrah body mechanics and remarkable bowling motion are what enable him to not hold himself back. According to legendary pacer Glenn McGrath, Bumrah needs to be more physically fit in order to bowl for longer because of the hyperextension he creates when delivering the ball. In an effort to properly manage his workload, McGrath has also recommended that Jasprit Bumrah take a full season off.
“His whole action is different to a lot of fast bowlers. He’s got a slow run-up and the last few steps just really accelerate him through the crease. He’s got hyperextension, and he’s just got a great wrist. And the way he releases it is a fair bit closer to the batter because of his technique than all other bowlers. So, there’s a lot that’s unique about him, but when he gets it right, it just all comes together well. He’s found what’s worked for him,” McGrath said at the MRF Pace Foundation.
“Unfortunately, what he does is pretty tough on the body. Especially when you’re playing a lot of cricket, there’s no time to have an off-season. He really needs to get a lot stronger physically and fitter to put up with the stresses of fast bowling. And he needs an off-season. It will get him strong through the season,” he added.
It would be unfortunate if Jasprit Bumrah just played Test matches.
While Jasprit Bumrah is currently the best addition to the Indian pace battery, the seasoned fast bowler has also stated that it is equally crucial for other bowlers, such as Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep, to step up more often than not. This will enable Jasprit Bumrah to play all formats and not just Tests.
“You want your best bowler bowling. And he’ll want to bowl all the time. If he’s just bowling in short spells, then the batting team know they just can get through the three or four overs and then they’re away. So it depends a lot on the other bowlers. You need another group of fast bowlers coming through to balance it out so that he doesn’t have to bowl long spells. You’ve got other bowlers bowling equally, as well, to carry the workload. You look at Jasprit Bumrah, he’s so effective in ODI and T20 cricket. To limit himself to Test cricket would be a shame. But, he’s got to work out what’s best for him,” McGrath concluded.
The bowler, who was born in Ahmedabad, will participate in the forthcoming Test series against the West Indies at home. Jasprit Bumrah will want to stay healthy and prepared for the important series, which will also signal the start of India’s new home schedule. It will be a two-match assignment.
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