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Indian spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been the standout performer in the ongoing five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. The Indian pacer has been the leading wicket-taker not only for India, but also in the series, bagging 30 scalps from four Tests at an average of 12.83. With one more Test to go in the series and India eyeing a win in order to draw the series and retain the BGT title, Bumrah will have a daunting task.
Amid the workload concern and seeing a packed calendar in 2025, several reports have revealed that Bumrah might be rested from the England ODIs as well as T20Is to stay fit for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. The marquee tournament is set to be played from February 19 in Pakistan and the UAE, with India playing all its matches in Dubai.
Jasprit Bumrah likely to be rested for England series ahead of Champions Trophy
The Men in Blue are set to host England in a white-ball series, starting January 22. The two cricketing giants will lock horns in five T20Is, followed by three ODIs between January 22 and February 12. Soon after the conclusion of the England series, top eight ODI teams will face each other in the Champions Trophy, which is marking its return since 2017.
Seeing the marquee tournament ahead, a report from India Today states that the Indian pacer will be given a rest for the England series. Moreover, it has to be seen that by the end of Syndey Test, Bumrah would have played 10 Tests within a span of four months, and thus the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) might take a call on resting him for the white-ball England series.
There is risk of overbowling Bumrah: Rohit Sharma
Speaking after the completion of the Melbourne Test, which saw India succumb to a 184-run defeat against Australia, skipper Rohit Sharma also highlighted the risk of overbowling Bumrah. "There is to be honest (risk of overbowling Bumrah). He has bowled a lot of overs there's no doubt about it. But again, every Test match we play, we keep that in mind, the workloads of all the bowlers in fact. But again, if somebody is in such great form, you want to try and maximise that form how-much-ever you can and that is what we've been trying to do with Bumrah," Rohit said at the post-match presser.
"There comes a time when you need to step back a little bit and give him that little bit of extra breather as well. So we've been very careful. I've been very careful. I talked to him about how he feels and stuff like that. So yeah, those things should be managed carefully, and I'm trying to do that on the field," he added.
