"It may actually take a toll" - Former India cricketer worried over Jasprit Bumrah's excessive workload in BGT 2024-25
Aakash Chopra has expressed his concerns about Team India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah having to do most of the heavy lifting in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test against Australia. The former opening batter hoped that the speedster remains fit throughout the five-match series.
The cricketer-turned-commentator opined that Bumrah's workload can still be managed despite him bowling a lot of overs. Pointing out that there are enough rest days between the BGT 2024-25 matches, here's what Chopra said during a live session on his YouTube channel (from 7:08):
"You want him to play five Test matches. The problem is that the workload is a bit too high. Of course, there are gaps between the games and in fact, there are more gaps than the actual play happening. So, you want him to last, but then he's also that lone ranger, one-man army, taking all the workload, and it may actually take a toll. I'd say fingers crossed that he plays all five."
It is worth mentioning that Bumrah had an injury scare during the second Test match of the BGT 2024-25 series. He fell on the ground during his spell. Much to the relief of the Indian fans, the pacer didn't sustain a major injury and it was only a cramp.
Chopra also emphasized that India's over-reliance on Bumrah is a big issue, suggesting that the other bowlers must also step up in crucial matches. He added:
"Saying, 'Jassi, there's no one like you, you are a G.O.A.T.' used to make me very happy and satisfied. But now I think this is a problem statement and not a proud statement."
Jasprit Bumrah has been India's standout performer with the ball in the ongoing Test series. He claimed a brilliant five-wicket haul in Australia's first innings of the ongoing Brisbane Test. The right-arm bowler is the leading wicket-taker of the rubber, with 17 scalps to his name across five innings.
"We talk about Bumrah but Mohammed Siraj is also a human being" - Aakash Chopra on the pacer being overbowled
During the aforementioned live session, Aakash Chopra highlighted that Mohammed Siraj has bowled almost 600 overs across formats since 2023, the most by an Indian pacer.
Chopra opined that like Bumrah, Siraj too deserves a breather as it seems that he is burned out with excessive workload. The 47-year-old said (from 23:55)
"Mohammed Siraj has bowled alright. He has bowled well so far in this series. But since 2013, Siraj has bowled the most overs by Indian seamers across formats. He has bowled nearly 600 overs but nobody is talking about it. Nobody is saying that Mohammed Siraj is overbowled and should be given some rest.
"We talk about Bumrah but Mohammed Siraj is also a human being. He is young and can bowl more but at some stage, that rustiness can start showing and I think it is showing now and the seam penetration has been missing," Chopra added.
Meanwhile, India won the toss and chose to field first in the Brisbane Test. Australia finished 405/7 at stumps on Day 2. Travis Head and Steve Smith were the top performers with the bat, scoring 152 and 101, respectively.