India’s star cricketers have been on the road for the last couple of months, featuring in the marquee events like the Asia Cup and the World Cup.
With seven Tests lined up in the December to March window ahead of IPL 2024, India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey has emphasized on the fast bowlers’ workload management.
India are due to play two Tests on the tour of South Africa followed by five Tests against England at home between December and March.
Mohammad Shami (24 wickets in 7 games, 48.5 overs), Jasprit Bumrah (20 wickets, 11 games, 91.5 overs) and Mohammed Siraj (14 wickets, 82.3 overs, 11 games) bowled their heart out in the just-concluded World Cup. The trio has been playing consistently since the Asia Cup in August-September.
No wonder, Mhambrey feels that pacers' workload needs to be carefully monitored considering the upcoming Test assignments.
"We will have to be very smart with the way we go forward in terms of managing the workload. These guys have played a lot of cricket, so we need to see how we want to go about it. We haven't discussed it yet," Mhambrey said during an interaction with reporters in mixed zone on Sunday (November 19).
Since his comeback after recovering from the back surgery, Bumrah has played white-ball cricket so far. It will be interesting to see how his body responds to the rigours of the five-day format.
"We missed Bumrah for a major part, and you see the difference he brings when he is in the side. The way he has gone in this tournament especially, it's massive.
"It has been challenging, but looking at the other side of it, it has also been an opportunity for us to work on the bench-strength," Mhambrey, whose contract ended with the conclusion of the World Cup, stated.
Mhambrey is also excited about the next crop of India's fast-bowling talents. "There is Mukesh (Kumar), Prasidh (Krishna), Avesh (Khan) and Kuldeep (Sen). I would look at it that way," he said.
Shami took the cricketing world by storm with his exploits during the World Cup 2023. The right-arm was benched in the first four matches but was remarkable from thereon in, taking 24 wickets at an average of just 10.70.
"He (Shami) was incredible. He obviously hadn't played the initial games, but the way he came back and bowled throughout the tournament was incredible.
"That's not something we expected, but we always knew that he always has that positive impact on the game. He has been phenomenal," Mhambrey said.
(With PTI Inputs)
