Ex-Pakistani pacer Umar Gul gave his thoughts on the workload management implemented by Team India management for its pacers like Jasprit Bumrah. He also revealed why such a system will not work in the Pakistani team culture.

Bumrah had broken down on the Australia tour earlier this year, suffering a back stress reaction. As a result, to carefully manage his workload, the pacer and the BCCI came to an agreement, where he was allowed to play only three Tests on the England tour.

He was released from the India squad after his three Tests were finished, despite India trailing 1-2 with one test remaining. Mohammed Siraj, who played Player of the Match in the final Test, stepped up for India in Bumrah's absence as India won the match and leveled the series 2-2.

Jasprit Bumrah, after almost a month of rest, has turned up fresh for India in the Asia Cup 2025 and played in the first game against the UAE. He bowled just three overs, giving away 19 runs and taking one wicket.

Ex-Pakistani player Umar Gul was asked about India's rotation policy and Bumrah's fatigue management. He emphasized that Pakistan cannot have such a system since it could cause established players to feel insecure.

"Unfortunately, in our (Pakistan cricket's) system, in our culture, the problem is that when we also used to play, any senior player was hesitant. If he’s even 70-80% fit, he would say, ‘I want to play.’ This was because if another player comes in and performs, then a rotation policy is not in our culture. We only look at the performance: this new guy has performed, so bring him in and let him play. So, I think this trust should be developed (in Pakistan cricket culture), and the rotation policy should be there. Your priority should be the senior player; when he gets fit, you should play him," Gul said, on PTV.

Praising the Indian cricket system for managing injuries of established stars, he added, "Players also have a responsibility, and so does the management, even your trainers and your medical staff. Both sides have a responsibility (when it comes to injuries and rehab). I’ll say the player’s responsibility is because if a player is injured, he himself knows the most about how he is feeling from the inside. What caused the injury? The doctor will tell you and inform you that you should rest for two weeks or five weeks. But the players themselves know from the inside how much rest they need and when they are ready."

He further pointed out how many Pakistani pacers, despite rehab, lose pace as the process was not proper, and they didn’t recover the way they should’ve.

"The rehab for players is very important. I think we (Pakistan) have some players who, after their injury, had rehab that was not perfect, so their pace gets lost or goes down a little; the rehab has a big role in that as well. So, I think India has a system. The rehab that the doctor tells you to do for six or five weeks means they are giving you an extra week so that you have a complete recovery. Plus, the most important thing is the rotation policy, right? Or we say that Bumrah is rested and is only played in World Cup or ICC events. So, the confidence is that our premium bowler will be the priority when he comes back after being fit,” he said.

India and Pakistan will clash on September 14 in Dubai at the Asia Cup 2025.