New Delhi: As India gears up for the crucial five-match Test series against England starting June 20, Jasprit Bumrah has once again emerged as a central figure in discussions — not just for his bowling prowess, but for how he will be managed throughout the demanding tour. With senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma absent, Bumrah is one of the few experienced names in the squad. However, Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar has indicated that the ace pacer is unlikely to feature in all five Tests due to workload concerns.
Amidst this, former National Cricket Academy head physiotherapist Ashish Kaushik has offered a cautionary note for the BCCI and team management: while over-bowling is a known risk, under-bowling can be just as dangerous.
“Strengthening a bowler enough to handle match workloads is vital,” Kaushik said in an interview with SportsBoom.com. “They must train, spend time on the field, and condition their bodies to handle repeated spells. If the workload drops too low or spikes too suddenly, injury risk increases.”
Kaushik highlighted the importance of maintaining a balanced training regimen — not just in match play but across all strenuous activities including strength training, fielding, and batting.
Meanwhile, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh is preparing for a potential red-ball debut and is currently back at Kent, where he previously played county cricket. The 26-year-old is participating in a four-day warm-up match against India A at Kent County Cricket Ground in Beckenham, using the opportunity to reacquaint himself with red-ball cricket.
Primarily known for his white-ball performances, especially with Punjab Kings in IPL 2025 where his team finished runners-up, Arshdeep is eager to adapt to the longer format.
“Today’s session was about getting the rhythm right — how the body feels, how the red ball is coming out,” he said in a video on BCCI.TV. “We’ve been playing white-ball cricket for a while now, so this is an important transition. As we go ahead, the intensity will increase and we’ll try to make things more challenging for the batters.”
As the countdown to the Test series continues, India’s pace unit — particularly Bumrah’s fitness and Arshdeep’s readiness — will be under close scrutiny. Managing the physical demands on key players like Bumrah while nurturing emerging talents like Arshdeep could prove decisive in India’s bid for a series win in England.
