Indian cricket fans are eagerly waiting for Jasprit Bumrah’s return to the field. IPL 2024 is going to start from March 22 and it is expected that Bumrah can be seen bowling this season. However, there has been no official announcement yet as to when he will start playing. Meanwhile, former New Zealand fast bowler and legendary cricketer Shane Bond has made a big statement about Bumrah’s injury and his career. He said that if Bumrah gets injured again in the same place where he had surgery, then it could also end his career.
Bumrah is away from the field since his back injury
Jasprit Bumrah could not bowl in the last Test match played on the Australia tour earlier this year due to back pain. Bumrah suffered severe back pain during the first innings of the Kangaroo team, after which he has been out of the field. Since then, he has not been able to play any match for the Indian team. Bumrah’s fans are excited about his return, but questions still remain about his fitness.
Shane Bond expressed concern over Bumrah’s injury
Shane Bond made a big statement about Bumrah on ESPN Cricinfo. He said, “When he went to get his back scanned in the middle of the Sydney Test, the report came that he had not just a sprain but a more serious problem. I was afraid that it might not be just a simple sprain but there might be an injury to the bone in that area. At that time I thought that if this happens, it will be difficult for him to even play the Champions Trophy.”
He further said, “I think he will be fully fit, but the future of his career will largely depend on the team management. It is very important to manage Bumrah’s workload. I am a little worried looking at his future schedule, because as soon as the IPL is over, the Indian team has to play a Test series against England. In such a situation, Bumrah will not get any time to rest.”
Moving from T20 to Test cricket is challenging
Shane Bond also stressed that it is not easy to go directly from T20 cricket to Test cricket. He said, “When you play T20 cricket continuously and then go directly to Test cricket, it is not easy. The management will have to seriously consider this so that Bumrah’s career can last longer.”
Bond further said, “Every player wants to play, but sometimes you have to understand that you have to protect yourself from risk so that your career lasts longer. If you take him to England and he becomes fit, but playing Test cricket immediately after T20 is not easy at all. He is your biggest match-winning bowler, and if he gets injured, it will be a big blow for the Indian team.”
BCCI’s strategy on Bumrah’s return
The BCCI and the Indian team management understand very well how important it is to keep Jasprit Bumrah’s workload balanced. Given his injuries in the last few years, the board has taken special care regarding his return. This is why he was given a long rehabilitation and recovery time.
Bumrah’s return to the IPL will be good news for the Indian team, but it will be important to control his playing time. Under workload management, the Mumbai Indians team may not play him in every match and use him in limited overs.
Impact on Indian team without Bumrah
If Jasprit Bumrah is not fit for a long time, then the Indian team may have to suffer a big loss. In the absence of Bumrah, the Indian bowling attack looks weak. In recent months, bowlers like Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj have performed brilliantly, but the effect of Bumrah’s bowling is different.
If Bumrah remains fully fit during the IPL and bowls without any problem, it will be a big relief for the Indian team. But if he faces any kind of problem again, then the Indian Cricket Board and the team management will have to re-strategize about his workload.
Will Bumrah be able to play the Test series against England?
The biggest question is whether Bumrah will be able to play in the Test series against England after the IPL? It will completely depend on how his fitness remains during the IPL. If he remains fit throughout the IPL and does not have any problem, then he can definitely make a comeback in Test cricket as well.
However, if he faces any problem again during or after the IPL, the BCCI will have to reconsider his workload and it is possible that he may be rested from the England tour.
Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness is very important for Indian cricket. The concern expressed by Shane Bond regarding his workload management is also correct to a large extent. His return in IPL 2024 will definitely make the fans happy, but the team management will have to take a careful decision to prolong his career. If Bumrah is managed correctly, he can remain the biggest match-winner of Indian cricket for many years to come.
