Bumrah played three of the five Tests on the tour of England.
Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management during the recently held Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy was a major topic of debate. The Indian team management had confirmed before the England tour that star quick would only feature in three of the five Tests.
The No.1-ranked Test bowler turned up in the first, third and fourth games and was rested for the second Test, which India won by 336 runs at Edgbaston.
Despite India being down 1-2, Bumrah didn’t feature in the series-decider at The Oval, where the visitors emerged victorious by a narrow margin of 6 runs to level the series 2-2.
Days after the end of the series, former wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta questioned India's strategy about Bumrah's availability, citing that announcing his three-Test limit was avoidable and decisions should be based on physical conditions and series needs.
"Well, I think India shouldn't have announced the fact that he would be playing only three Test matches prior to departing for the series. I mean, you can always take a call on his availability as and when based on his physical situation and series scenario. But this thing of saying that he will be playing only three Test matches before the series has started, I think India could have avoided it," Dasgupta told IANS.
"It depends on obviously him and the medical staff. But how I see it is, he's the best bowler in the world across three formats. So, you want him for all the crucial games. But then once he's available for the crucial ones, then I guess it can't be at the start of a tournament, that I'm going to play only 40% or 60% of the games - that can't happen," he added.
"I mean, keep him ready for the crucial ones, and make sure he's available for all games. Then obviously, if there are injuries, if the body has taken a toll and he's not ready, that's a different issue altogether. But this availability for 50%, 60%, and all, I think that needs to be looked into because he is by far the best bowler in the world right now," he further remarked.
Jasprit Bumrah picked up 14 wickets at an average of 26 in three appearances against England, but he seemed to be suffering from cramps and slight injuries in the penultimate Test at Old Trafford.
Prasidh Krishna replaced Bumrah in the fifth Test and returned with eight wickets. Dasgupta lauded Krishna's performance and hoped that the lanky pacer maintains his rhythm.
"With Prasidh, he's a quality bowler. I mean, his release is the best in this Indian team in terms of his backspin and seam position, and skill-wise, he's right up there. Only thing is, obviously, over the years, even though he made his first-class debut a long time ago, because of injuries and all, he hasn't really played a lot of cricket and never got into a rhythm."
"He would play a Test match or two, and then get injured. But then, also in the first few Test matches, I don't think he was used well. By the time the last Test came, he got some rhythm and bowled the way he generally bowls. So a lot of credit to him, and I hope this gives him a lot of confidence and he plays a lot because, again, he's found his rhythm. I hope he goes back to India and keeps bowling in future matches," Dasgupta concluded.