Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan recently weighed in on the hot topic of player workload management, using star bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Pat Cummins as key examples. Fans of Indian cricket have been particularly concerned about Bumrah’s future, as discussions about his playing schedule have become very common.
Irfan believes that Jasprit Bumrah, whom he calls a “treasure for the Indian team”, should be handled with great care. He also emphasised that it’s not a good idea to bring up the topic of workload management once a series is already underway, referencing the recent conversations that happened during the England series. He noted that thinking about it in the middle of a competition won’t lead to good outcomes.
Irfan Pathan then compared Jasprit Bumrah’s situation to that of Pat Cummins, suggesting there’s a lot to learn from the Australian captain’s approach. According to Irfan, Pat Cummins is already managing his workload by choosing to miss some series leading up to the Ashes. This proactive approach ensures he will be at his best when it matters the most.
Irfan Pathan questioned whether Pat Cummins would still manage his workload once the high-stakes Ashes series starts, hinting that the focus shifts from management to performance during major events.
This discussion comes after some criticism was directed at Jasprit Bumrah and the Indian team management. It was announced before the five-match series against England that Bumrah would only play in three matches. This led to many questioning the decision and even suggesting that Jasprit Bumrah picks and chooses his matches, a claim that was often supported by pointing out his consistent availability for Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
Despite these ongoing discussions, Jasprit Bumrah has been named in the 15-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup. His last T20 International match was in June 2024, during India’s T20 World Cup victory. He last played a One-Day International in November 2023, when India finished as runners-up in the World Cup.
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