Did India Mismanage Bumrah’s Workload at Lord’s? Irfan Pathan Thinks So

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has questioned India’s handling of Jasprit Bumrah’s workload during the second Test against England at Lord’s. Pathan believes the star pacer could have been used more strategically, particularly given his absence from the preceding Edgbaston Test.

Pathan Draws Parallels with Ben Stokes’ Workload

Pathan highlighted England’s approach to managing Ben Stokes’ workload, suggesting India could have adopted a similar strategy with Bumrah. He pointed out that Stokes, despite his crucial role, is often given controlled spells to maximize his impact while minimizing the risk of injury. “His workload was managed having not played at Edgbaston,” Pathan observed, emphasizing the importance of managing key players’ bowling load effectively.

Bumrah’s Potential Underutilized?

Pathan implies that Bumrah’s absence from the first Test presented an opportunity to use him judiciously at Lord’s. He feels India might have missed a trick by not capitalizing on this, potentially impacting the outcome of the match. This analysis sparks debate about the optimal utilization of premium fast bowlers in the demanding format of Test cricket.