NEW DELHI: India’s defeat at the hands of England in the third Test at Lord’s has reignited criticism over the national team’s much-debated workload management policy, particularly in reference to star pacer Jasprit Bumrah. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has slammed the approach, contrasting it sharply with the tireless commitment of England skipper Ben Stokes.
India, now trailing 1-2 in the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, failed to capitalize on strong positions twice in three games. In stark contrast, England showcased grit and determination, spearheaded by Ben Stokes, whose all-round brilliance earned him the Player of the Match award.
Stokes delivered a captain’s performance—scoring 44 and 33 runs, and bowling 20 overs (2/63) in the first innings and 24 overs (3/48) in the second. He also effected a crucial run-out of Rishabh Pant, showcasing his relentless work ethic.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Irfan Pathan lauded Stokes while criticizing India’s cautious handling of Bumrah. “Ben Stokes bowled a marathon 9.2-over spell on Day Five. He bats, bowls, and fields. There’s no talk of workload management in England. But in India, we talk more about resting players than winning games,” Pathan remarked.
Jasprit Bumrah, who has been carefully rotated as part of India’s workload policy, is set to play only three of the five Tests in the current series. Pathan questioned the logic behind limiting Bumrah’s involvement during a match rather than in between games.
“Bumrah bowls five overs and waits for Joe Root to come in when India needs to seize control. This is not the time for rest. You had enough time off before the series. When the match is on, winning should be the only priority,” Pathan said. He added that even Jofra Archer, returning after a four-year Test absence, bowled a six-over spell and came back for more.
“If Ben Stokes can bowl nine straight overs, our pacers should be doing more. Unfortunately, we lagged behind,” he added.
Beyond the tactical missteps, Pathan also pointed out India’s poor discipline with the ball, which cost them dearly. The team conceded 31 extras in the first innings and 32 in the second.
“Those 63 extras hurt us. Even if we had halved them, the result could have been very different,” Pathan emphasized.
With the fourth Test set to begin on July 23 in Manchester, pressure is mounting on Shubman Gill and the team management to reassess their strategy, especially around on-field decisions and player utilization.
India will have to regroup quickly, not only to stay alive in the series but also to counter the growing perception that overprotective workload policies may be costing them crucial victories.
