With the T20 World Cup 2026 approaching, former batter Robin Uthappa is encouraging the team management to safeguard Jasprit Bumrah, India’s top match-winner, amid the workload management argument that has been revived.
In recent months, India has exercised caution. Bumrah played in just three games during the Test tour of England and missed some of the ODI series against Australia and South Africa.
Concerns regarding Jasprit workload have been raised anew, though, after India summoned him up for the T20I series against South Africa in advance of the T20 World Cup 2026. Jasprit fast pace and distinctive bowling style put a great deal of strain on his body each time he runs in, according to Uthappa, who called him a valuable but physically delicate asset.
“He is a game-changer, so controlling his workload is essential. According to Uthappa on JioHotstar, Bumrah bowls fast, which is arguably the hardest skill in the game. He does it with a demanding action and at a high velocity.
Uthappa claims that fast bowling is already the hardest position in cricket, and Bumrah gives it his all. Bumrah requires consistent playing time to be sharp, but he feels that the balance is tricky and that excess may quickly backfire.
Uthappa’s warning comes at a crucial moment because the current T20I series has already been affected by the cancellation of one match owing to excessive fog. Less than two months remain till the T20 World Cup, so India needs to be especially careful with Bumrah’s workload.
“You want him to play enough cricket, but you also want to protect that.” We’ve seen flashes of his talent, and hopefully he can develop consistency in the games leading up to the World Cup,” Uthappa remarked.
After suffering a back ailment, Bumrah’s T20I statistics clearly reveal a decline in form.
He was essentially unplayable in 2024, averaging only 8.27 with an economy rate of 4.18 while leading India to victory in the T20 World Cup. But in 2025, he saw a significant drop in his stats, with his economy rate jumping to 7.42 and his average climbing to 23.
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