There has been discussion over the team management handling Jasprit Bumrah’s workload across the five-match series against England in the new World Test Championship cycle. However, former head physiotherapist at the NCA, Ashish Kaushik, has different advice for head coach Gautam Gambhir.
With the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah is one of the most senior players in the squad. However, chief selector Ajit Agarkar said that Bumrah is unlikely to play all five matches. The pacer had sustained a back injury in Australia, which ruled him out of the Champions Trophy 2025.
Jasprit Bumrah Can Also Be Underbowled – Ashish Kaushik
Gautam Gambhir also confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah would feature in only three Tests. However, Ashish Kaushik warned that Bumrah could be underbowled, which may increase the risk of injury. Kaushik added that workload isn’t limited to bowling alone but includes all physical activities as well.
“There is an acute to chronic workload ratio for every player. Research suggests that a certain amount of workload must be maintained to reduce the risk of injuries and going above or below that workload could pose a risk.”
“As much as you can be over bowled, you can also be under bowled. Workload is not only for bowling but training, too. It should be measured from all strenuous activities: bowling, batting, fielding, strength work, and conditioning work. It should not spike up or drop from where they can deliver,” Kaushik told SportsBoom.com.
Players Must Stay in the Safe Zone to Avoid Injuries – Ashish Kaushik
Ashish Kaushik said that players need to be physically prepared before the matches, ensuring their bodies can handle the demands on the field without unexpected strain.
“Ahead of this Test series, the purpose should be to ensure all the players are in the safe zone, where the bodies are used to functioning at a certain level, and what they do on the field is not unexpected,” said Kaushik.
“After a bout of activity, one has to ensure the bodies recover on time before the next activity. They need offloading for a long time, where sleep, nutrition and emotional recovery are essential. It helps keep players energised for the next session,” he reasoned.
Jasprit Bumrah’s Career Frequently Disrupted by Injuries
Jasprit Bumrah’s career has been repeatedly interrupted by injuries, forcing him to miss major tournaments, including the 2022 T20 World Cup, the 2023 World Test Championship Final, and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
In 2019, former NCA head physiotherapist Ashish Kaushik accompanied Bumrah to England to consult specialists for a stress fracture.
The fast bowler last played a Test match during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he was the leading wicket-taker with 32 wickets. The right-arm fast bowler also missed the early part of IPL 2025 but made a strong comeback for the Mumbai Indians (MI) later in the season.
