Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi

New Delhi, Jun 11: As Team India readies itself for the much-anticipated five-match Test series against England starting June 20, the focus has once again shifted to ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah. With senior stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma unavailable, Bumrah's role becomes even more significant. However, questions loom over his availability for all five Tests, given his recent history of injuries and workload concerns.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has already hinted that the premier fast bowler might not feature in the entire series, citing the need to manage his fitness effectively. While the decision stems from caution following Bumrah's back issues during the Australia series, former National Cricket Academy (NCA) head physiotherapist Ashish Kaushik has offered a different perspective.

Kaushik has warned against the risks of under-bowling Bumrah, stating that every player has a specific workload threshold that must be maintained. According to him, a sudden drop in physical exertion can be as harmful as overexertion. He further emphasised that workload must be assessed not just in terms of overs bowled, but also through fielding, strength training, and other strenuous activities. Ensuring consistent training and conditioning, he said, is vital for a bowler to return strongly in second and third spells during matches.

Meanwhile, India’s left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has returned to familiar grounds in Kent to regain his red-ball rhythm ahead of the Test series. The 26-year-old, who played county cricket here two years ago, expressed happiness over getting back into red-ball mode after a long season of white-ball cricket. Named in India’s squad for the England series, Arshdeep is looking to make his debut in the longer format. The Indian team is set to play a four-day warm-up match against India A at the Kent County Cricket Ground in Beckenham from June 13.

Speaking to BCCI.TV, Arshdeep said that his current focus is to understand how his body responds to the red ball and slowly increase his intensity in the nets. He added that the goal is to gradually raise the difficulty level for batters and find his rhythm before the main series begins.

With the England challenge around the corner, the Indian think tank faces a crucial task in balancing experience and freshness in the pace department, while ensuring that key players like Bumrah are not underprepared in the name of preservation.