Legendary South African pacer Dale Steyn expressed satisfaction with the way Jasprit Bumrah is being managed by himself and the Indian cricket team management after he was rested for the fourth Test against England.
Bumrah was rested for the fourth Test of the ongoing five-match Test series against England to manage his workload, and the former Proteas pacer said that Team India would not miss the pacer’s services in Ranchi. Notably, Mukesh Kumar was recalled for the Ranchi Test, starting on February 23.
Steyn highlighted the careful handling of Bumrah, who has been the standout performer in the Test series with 17 wickets, amidst the demanding travel and schedule faced by Indian players these days.
Dale Steyn was quoted as saying by Times of India, “I don't know how his workload is going right now. I suppose being an Indian player there is going to be a lot of workload. There is a lot of cricket in India these days. The Indian team is playing a lot of cricket and people want to play against them.”
He added, “They are traveling most of the time. So, there is a huge percentage of the bowlers who will be bowling a lot of overs. Bumrah could be one of those guys. But he is being managed quite well. In the past few years, Indian fast-bowling stocks have gone up hugely. I don't think we should be worrying too much about Bumrah because he is managing himself quite well.”
The former South African pacer also expressed satisfaction about the communication between Bumrah and the Indian team management. He also stressed that the hosts don’t seem to miss him much due to the depth of fast bowling options currently available.
Steyn signed off by saying, “There is good communication with Bumrah himself about what he wants to do, when he wants to, play and when he takes time off. It seems like India really doesn't miss him because the stepped-in bowlers are up to the standards. It is a very good thing about Indian fast bowling.”
(With TOI Inputs)
