The pressure of international cricket can take a serious toll on fast bowlers, especially those returning from major injuries. Former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond has now come forward in support of India’s star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, saying that criticism of the Indian speedster over his limited participation in certain tournaments is unfair.
Shane Bond believes that the idea of modern cricketers freely choosing which tournaments they want to play is misleading. He explained that experienced fast bowlers carefully manage their fitness and workload in consultation with medical teams and coaches.
Speaking to a leading publication, Shane Bond said that senior bowlers understand their bodies and physical limitations. They regularly discuss their workload with support staff to determine how much cricket they can safely play. He also pointed out that returning to competitive cricket after an injury is one of the most challenging and risky periods for any player. Shane Bond added that Jasprit Bumrah should not be criticised for supposedly selecting tournaments according to his preferences, as his decisions are more closely linked to fitness and injury management.
Meanwhile, India are set to begin the ODI leg of their New Zealand tour at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday. However, Jasprit Bumrah will not feature in the ODI series after the team management decided to rest him.
The Indian fast bowler has been included in the squad for the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand, which begins in Wellington on November 19. He is also being considered for the third four-day match between India A and New Zealand A, scheduled to take place from November 7 to 10. The match could help him prepare for India’s important World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 assignments.
India’s team management has remained particularly careful with Jasprit Bumrah’s workload following his major back surgery in 2023. The pacer also suffered a stress-related injury during the Sydney Test in January 2025. He experienced discomfort on the second day and had to leave the field for medical scans. The injury eventually forced him to miss the ICC Champions Trophy.
Shane Bond stressed that workload management is important for every international cricketer, not just Jasprit Bumrah. He highlighted that India play a demanding amount of cricket throughout the year, making it essential to manage the fitness of their key players.
He further explained that keeping leading players fit, fresh and available for major tournaments should be the priority. With the next World Cup scheduled for October-November, ensuring that India’s best players are in peak condition will be especially important.
Shane Bond’s comments underline an important point: managing a fast bowler’s fitness is not about avoiding matches but about ensuring that he remains available for the biggest challenges.
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