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“Everyone Wants To Play At Lord's…” Jasprit Bumrah’s Workload Addressed By Atherton

Aakash Saini

Jasprit Bumrah [Source: AP Photo]Jasprit Bumrah [Source: AP Photo]

Former England cricketer Michael Atherton has addressed the dilemma around the workload management of lethal Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. Team India, trailing 0-1 in the five-match Test series against England, will likely rest Bumrah from the upcoming second Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham to manage the speedster’s workload.

While no official statement has been delivered by the team management yet, England commentator Michael Atherton believes that Bumrah should play the second Test on pure “cricketing terms”. However, he claimed that the Indian paceman would also like to play the third Test at the iconic Lord’s, with the only quandary being just a three-day gap between the two high-profile matches.

Atherton Assesses India’s Requirement Of Jasprit Bumrah

Michael Atherton believes Team India should play Jasprit Bumrah in the second Test in Birmingham since the visitors are trailing 0-1 in the five-match series. However, Atherton also analyzed the catch-22 situation for the Indian team and for Bumrah, claiming that the fast bowler would also like to play at Lord’s in the third Test since “every overseas” player would want their names on the honors board of the iconic venue.

Moreover, Atherton also acknowledged just a three-day gap between the two matches. While speaking on the Sky Sports podcast, former England cricketer said:

“They have got a decision to make over Japrit Bumrah, first of all, because every overseas player wants to play in a Lord’s Test. The Lord’s Test is three days after Edgbaston. In cricketing terms, he should certainly play at Edgbaston, and I’d think very carefully about Old Trafford, because that’s the kind of ground where pace and reverse swing are really important. But as you say, every cricketer wants to play at Lord’s and get on that honors board.”

Team India will face England in the second Test between July 2 and July 6 at Edgbaston. Trailing 0-1 in the five-match series, Shubman Gill and co. need to win the impending fixture to level the series before the Lord’s affair.