The decision to limit Jasprit Bumrah’s participation to only three Tests during the England series wasn’t a reactive call but a carefully considered move made months in advance. Soham Desai, India’s former strength and conditioning coach, has now revealed that the plan was set well before the 2025 Champions Trophy, which was held in Pakistan and the UAE earlier this year.
Jasprit Bumrah, who had hit peak form during the first four Tests of India’s tour to Australia, suffered a serious back injury during the fifth match in Sydney. This setback forced him to miss the next three months of international cricket including the Champions Trophy. Despite his absence, India went on to clinch the title. His return came in the IPL, where he featured in most of the matches after sitting out in the initial few. Even during the tournament, India’s selection committee and team management had already decided on how many Tests he would feature in during the England tour.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar was among the first to confirm this limit publicly and the number was echoed by head coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah himself in the lead-up to the Headingley Test.
Soham Desai told a leading publication that as soon as Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the Champions Trophy, the coaching staff analysed India’s Future Tours Programme. It became clear from that planning phase that Jasprit Bumrah’s participation in England would be capped at three Tests to manage his fitness and ensure longevity.
Elaborating on how a player’s workload is assessed, Soham Desai explained that it’s a mix of data-driven insights and keen observation. Objective measurements are taken through wearable GPS devices that track movement and performance metrics. However, subjective cues are just as important. The support staff monitors players’ behaviour closely, including energy levels during team interactions or minor variations in their walk or intensity. Such subtle signs often indicate whether a player is straying from their usual performance baseline and may require rest.
Soham Desai also addressed the speculation around Jasprit Bumrah’s availability for the second Test at Edgbaston, especially with India trailing 1-0 in the series. Though assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate had denied making a final call, Soham Desai noted that such decisions are generally made well in advance, with venue-specific strategies drawn up long before the series begins. He added that any last minute adjustment typically occurs at least 48 hours before the match.
Reflecting on Jasprit Bumrah’s previous injury in Sydney, Soham Desai pointed to the intense workload during the preceding Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as the tipping point. He explained that while a bowler can exceed their set number of overs by a small margin, the spacing of those overs is crucial. In that MCG Test, Bumrah bowled beyond his prescribed limit with little rest between spells, which caused an unplanned spike in his physical load. Soham Desai believes that overexertion played a key role in triggering the back injury that followed.
Through these insights, it is clear that India’s management of Jasprit Bumrah is not just about protecting their premier fast bowler; it is about ensuring he continues to deliver match-winning performances without compromising his long-term fitness.
