Soam Desai, the former strength and conditioning coach for Team India, claims that the choice to only have Jasprit Bumrah play three of the five Tests in the series against England was made during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. At the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the 31-year-old ace speedster participated in every five Tests against Australia. But during the final Test in Sydney, he experienced a back spasm that caused him to miss three months of competitive cricket, including the Champions Trophy, which India won.

Even if India runs the risk of falling behind 0-2, all indicators point to Bumrah missing the second Test against Edgbaston. As they consistently allowed runs, reducing the pressure on England, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna had a disappointing performance in the first Test.

In Headingley, Bumrah bowled a total of 43.4 overs. In the first innings, he came back with five wickets. However, as England scored 371 to take a 1-0 lead, he was unable to get a wicket in the second innings. Between the first and second tests, there was a seven-day interval. However, it would appear that Bumrah would now be available for the third Test at Lord's Cricket Ground.

India captain Shubman Gill avoided deploying Bumrah into the attack even when the hosts were 85 runs away from the target, indicating that Bumrah's workload would be managed in the middle of the game.

"India's Future Tours Program (FTP) was examined when Bumrah couldn't make it to the Champions Trophy, and it was decided that he would only play three Tests in England," Soham Desai informed the Times of India.

Desai also disclosed that although management is responsible for the initial planning of workload, Jasprit Bumrah typically makes the ultimate decision. Additionally, he said that if the pacer feels that there is a critical point in the series, the scheme may always be reviewed.

"The team administration and the bowler himself are then in charge. They get to choose. Bumrah often reconsiders the plan if he believes this is a critical point in the series. However, Desai said that one must consider the psychological hardship he endures with each breakdown.

'Number of overs decided for Bumrah'

Additionally, the former India strength and conditioning coach disclosed that even before a Test match begins, the management has already determined the number of overs that Bumrah should bowl.

During the Melbourne Test against Australia, Bumrah's back issue was brought about by him bowling a few extra overs without a break, he disclosed.

I've known him since the ACL injury in 2014, when he played for the Gujarat domestic team. Desai stated that he is constantly attempting to figure out how his body reacts to various conditions.

“A specific number of overs are determined for Bumrah to bowl in each Test. Beyond that limit, one may bowl five to seven overs, but it is important to see how those additional overs are delivered. He delivered those additional overs in the last Test series at the MCG with little break between spells. This resulted in a surge in his workload, which led to the back ailment in Sydney, he said.

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