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The England series will mark the start of the brand new WTC 2025-27 cycle, with India heading into it on the back of white-ball success with their Champions Trophy win.
Jasprit Bumrah might be key to India’s possibilities in England (Picture credit: AFP)
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has said that India might want to manage ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s workload through the upcoming five-Test series against England, saying that he would love the bowler to play the primary two Tests after which give him a break.
The series will mark the start of the brand new World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, with India heading into it on the back of white-ball success with their Champions Trophy win.
Their Test team might be desirous to bounce back after a disappointing outing of their previous project in Australia, a 3-1 series defeat to the mighty Aussies.
“I could be very, very careful [with Bumrah]. I’d give him two Tests at a time after which wait for the break. Ideally, make him play 4. You’ll be tempted to make him play five if he starts in a terrific manner, nevertheless it’s how his body pulls up,” Shastri said while speaking on the most recent episode of The ICC Review.
“He ought to be given the primary opportunity to say, ‘Yes, slightly, [I am] feeling the niggle. A break would help.’ Give him that break,” Shastri added.
One in all India’s struggles in Australia was the supply of their pace attack; each Mohammed Shami and Bumrah have battled injury setbacks, while Mohammed Siraj struggled Down Under and was dropped from their Champions Trophy team.
Siraj has since made a robust comeback in IPL 2025, bagging 12 wickets in eight games till now, signalling he’s back to his best, while each Bumrah and Shami have recovered from their injuries.
“I feel with Siraj, Jasprit and Mohammed Shami, these three, in the event that they are fully fit, they may give England heaps of problems. It’s a high quality, top-class pace attack if you get these three fit,” Shastri said.
“And what I like about Siraj, I’m glad he was hurt after being put out, not on the side for the Champions Trophy. That’s what you wish. For him to return to the drafting board and are available back the way in which he has, there’s a spring in his stride, the pace is up there and he means business game after game,” Shastri added.
