'Be very, very careful' - Ravi Shastri wants India to manage Jasprit Bumrah's workload during England Tests

Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Ravi Shastri admitted that India must carefully manage the workload of speedster Jasprit Bumrah during the upcoming five-Test series against England. The former Indian head coach insisted that the right-arm pacer should play the first two Tests and take a break thereafter.

“I would be very, very careful [with Bumrah]. I would give him two Tests at a time and then wait for the break. Ideally, make him play four. You’ll be tempted to make him play five if he starts in a great manner, but it’s how his body pulls up," Shastri said while speaking on The ICC Review.

“He should be given the first opportunity to say, ‘Yes, a little, [I am] feeling the niggle. A break would help.’ Give him that break," he added.

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The England series will be the beginning of the new World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, with India heading into Test jersey after their defeat against Australia 3-1 earlier this year. India had struggled in the Australian soil with their pace attack. The 31-year-old and Mohammed Shami were absent due to injuries, and Mohammed Siraj struggled to find rhythm in the Test series.

The ex-Indian cricketer emphasised that the Gujarat Titans (GT) pacer should get back to his roots and come back into the game with full flow.

“I think with Siraj, Jasprit and Mohammed Shami, these three, if they are fully fit, they will give England heaps of problems. It’s a quality, top-class pace attack when 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 want. For him to go back to the drawing board and come back the way he has, there’s a spring in his stride, the pace is up there and he means business game after game,” he concluded.