Jasprit Bumrah has come under the scanner for his workload management in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. 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 at Edgbaston.

Despite India being down 1-2 in the five-match series, Bumrah is not featuring in the series-decider currently underway at The Oval.

Amid growing concerns over his fitness, Australian legend Glenn McGrath has said that Jasprit Bumrah's unconventional bowling action puts extra strain on his body, leading to tough workload management decisions for India.

While McGrath emphasized the need for Bumrah to play as much as possible due to his match-winning ability, he also highlighted the importance of an off-season to prevent injuries.

“You want him to be playing as many games as possible because he is a match winner. But it is a tough one because he has a unique bowling style. He puts more stress on his body than other fast bowlers,” said McGrath, as quoted by TOI.

“In Australia, whenever Bumrah played, the matches were tight. But unfortunately, when he played back to-back matches, he had injury concerns. A lot of it depends on the captain and hierarchy and more so him (Bumrah), what he feels he can do,” McGrath added.

Asked if India skipper Shubman Gill could have managed Bumrah better by reducing the number of overs in the matches that he played, McGrath replied, “You want your best bowler bowling (for long) and him wanting to bowl as well. If Bumrah bowls in short spells, the batting team can just get through those three-four overs. India need another group of fast bowlers coming through to ensure Bumrah does not have to bowl long spells. India need other bowlers who can equally carry the workload.”

According to McGrath, pacers like Bumrah will have to deal with injuries if they do not get a “proper off-season” that usually lasts two months.

“It is important for a fast bowler to have an off-season. If you just keep playing year in, year out, things (injuries) will happen. That is the nature of the beast. Good bowling action, good genetics and good work off the field are needed to get strong. There may be a freak who can bowl all day every day, but 99.9% of the fast bowlers need an off-season.”

(With TOI Inputs)