![Why Bumrah shouldn't rest [Source: AP Photo]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1753007251940_WhyBumrahshouldn'trest.jpg?type=mq)
Why Bumrah shouldn't rest [Source: AP Photo]
In the game of cricket, every now and then, a messiah comes to save his team when they are in danger. For the avid Indian cricket lovers of the 90s, Sachin Tendulkar was the "God" for them, as the Little Master saved India countless times and brought joy onto the faces of millions of people.
For the Indian cricket fans, who started watching in the early 2010s, Virat Kohli was their saviour as the King was always there to save his Kingdom from the enemy bowlers.
For Gen Z, Jasprit Bumrah arrived in 2018 and became Indian cricket's biggest Messiah as he came with a ray of hope to take the Indian bowling to the top of the mountain. For the last 7 years, Bumrah has carried the nation's hope on his back as the pacer was relentless in his approach, as India found their greatest-ever fast bowler.
The slump and rising above the Ashes
However, even the greatest of the great witness downfall or a slight bump and Bumrah witnessed it in 2022 when the Indian pacer had a serious back injury and was ruled out for the majority of the 2022 season. He had a unique action and it puts a lot of pressure on his back which led to his derailment at the peak of his power.
However, in 2023, the pacer rose above the Ashes, and the world witnessed Bumrah 2.0 - who was a better bowler and was more ruthless in his approach. He picked up 20 wickets in the 2023 World Cup as India reached the finals of the tournament, and also, the pacer showed his class in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he was adjudged the Player of the Tournament.
But there was one downside to this 2.0 version - his body needed time to repair. No longer could he play 10 matches in a row as the body had worn down, and just like a machine requires an update after long usage, Bumrah needed to take longer rest, so that he could be available for crucial matches.
Workload management became a fancy term, thanks to Bumrah
Since the 2023 World Cup, the Indian team management have carefully utilised Bumrah's ability. No longer he plays against Sri Lanka and West Indies, but is only used as a "Brahmastra" against the big teams. His absence against the smaller nations was given a new term - workload management as the team needed him to be fresh for tough challenges.
The pacer once again suffered a career-threatening injury during the Border-Gavaskas Trophy, at the start of 2025 and he missed the Champions Trophy event, which India won. However, when the lead pacer was drafted in the India squad for the England tour, eyebrows were raised as the uncanny pacer desired to only play in three out of the five Tests in England, citing "workload issues."
2-1 down in the series, India needs "Brahmastra Bumrah to play 4th Test
England won the first Test match of the series at Headingley as they chased down a record 371 with utmost ease. Bumrah was the lone shining light amongst the Indian bowlers as he scalped a fifer in the first innings. However, for the second Test match, which had a one-week gap, the ace pacer decided to take rest as he skipped the game.
Surprisingly, India found a new hero in Akash Deep as the side dismantled England to breach fortress Edgbaston. With a bit of spice at the Lord's wicket, Bumrah decided to unleash himself on the England batters and to some extent, he did wreak havoc as the batters found it difficult to cope against him.
However, despite a valiant effort, India lost a close-fought game as the hosts took a lead in the series. Just after the game, there were reports that Bumrah could miss the 4th Test, but the question arises - can we really afford to head into the Manchester Test without Bumrah? The answer is a "big no."
Yes, India won its only Test match on the tour without Bumrah, but lightning only strikes once, and we have all seen fear in the eyes of English batters when Bumrah comes onto bowl. It's like a different ball game when India's best bowler has the red cherry in his hand and he marks his run-up, trying to intimidate the English batters.
Do India have resources to cope without Bumrah?
The answer is once again a big no! India doesn't have the resources to tackle the England batters without Jasprit Bumrah. Siraj has been a revelation on this tour, but Akash Deep has a groin injury and is uncertain for the contest. Prasidh Krishna has been a flop show and this tour could potentially be his last-ever India tour in whites.
Moreover, Anshul Kamboj is yet to taste what it's like to play red-ball cricket, so India cannot enter the battlefield in Manchester without their biggest weapon - Bumrah. 2-1 down in the series, backs against the walls, English media terrorising Indians, there is only one way to hit back - beat the English team in their backyard and Bumrah could be the one to once again traumatise England stars as India aim to level the series. So, please, Bumrah, play the next game, and if possible, the 5th Test as well....
