Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy: With Sai Sudharsan & Karun Nair, India's No. 3 issue sticks out like a sore thumb
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Business Standard
25 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Like Bumrah, Siraj's workload needs care to avoid injury: RP Singh
Mohammed Siraj is in the same league as premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah and it is important to manage his workload carefully to keep him injury-free, said former Indian fast bowler RP Singh. Siraj bowled 185.3 overs in the recently-concluded five-match Test series in England and finished as the highest wicket-taker with 23 wickets, emerging as the most utilised bowler in the series. The 31-year-old from Hyderabad claimed nine wickets, including a five-wicket haul in the second innings of the fifth Test, playing a key role in India's six-run victory that helped the visitors level the series 2-2. Workload management will be crucial to prevent Siraj from getting injured in the future," Singh said in an interview with PTI-Bhasha. "Fast bowlers are at higher risk of injury when they play too many matches in a short time. His workload should be managed just like we did with Bumrah." Citing Jasprit Bumrah's example, Singh said: "It's because of better workload management, Bumrah bowled brilliantly in both ODI and T20 World Cups. "Siraj is also in the same league. To protect him from injuries, we need to seriously focus on his workload, sooner or later." Singh, who played 82 matches for India including 14 Tests, praised Siraj for his lion-hearted performance during the England tour. Siraj was the only bowler who played all five Tests and bowled with full energy and intensity in each match," said Singh, a JioHotstar' Cricket expert. "The last ball of the series, which bowled out the batsman, was one of his top five fastest deliveries in the series. Siraj delivered a 143 kmph yorker to clean up Gus Atkinson and seal India's win in the fifth Test. It was the fifth-fastest ball he bowled in the series. "This shows that he never lacked effort. He focused on bowling with the right line and length and contributed beyond expectations for the team. His fitness and rhythm were excellent throughout, Singh said. Having bowled largely under Bumrah's leadership until now, Siraj carved his own identity during the England series. Singh noted that even Bumrah's success has been supported by Siraj. "Just like batsmen need partnerships, bowlers also prefer bowling in pairs. Bumrah tends to take more wickets and his unique action troubles batters more," the former left-arm bowler said. "Siraj's role is to build pressure from his end, and he does that very well. Their partnership has been special and delivered great performances. When Bumrah is not in the team, Siraj automatically becomes our lead fast bowler." On the debate over Bumrah featuring in only three matches on the England tour due to workload management, Singh said: "That was already planned. The good thing about Bumrah is that whenever he's in the team, he gives you wickets. "Captains always expect breakthroughs from him. He usually bowls more than others in any match he plays." Singh also praised skipper Shubman Gill, who led from the front with 754 runs in the series. No one thought India would come back and level the series 2-2. Gill was impressive as captain. He made good decisions and his personal performance was outstanding. "When a captain performs well in his role, it positively influences his decision-making." The series also saw moments of grit as injured players had to bat to save matches. Rishabh Pant came out to bat in Manchester despite a fractured leg, while England's Chris Woakes batted with his left arm in a sling after suffering a shoulder fracture. Singh said in such situations, teams should be allowed like-for-like injury replacements. In my opinion, there should be a neutral doctor or physio during every match who decides the severity of a player's injury and whether the player is fit to play. If not, the team should be allowed to bring in a replacement of similar ability, he said. Kuldeep Yadav and Arshdeep Singh did not feature in any of the Tests, and Singh attributed this to the team management's preference for all-rounders. There's no doubt that every player wants to be in the playing XI. From the first match of the series, India decided to strengthen the batting. To deepen the batting lineup, the team preferred all-rounders. That's why Kuldeep didn't get to play," he said. If the team had prioritized bowling strength, then Kuldeep would have played. Washington Sundar partially filled the spin bowler role. But I believe there were two or three pitches where Kuldeep could have been very effective. But these things happen in cricket, if not today, then there will be opportunities in the future.
Business Standard
25 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Chappell takes dig at England's Bazball: 'Reckless isn't positive cricket'
"Positive cricket doesn't mean reckless cricket," said Australian great Greg Chappell, lambasting England's 'Bazball' philosophy during the high-intensity drawn Test series against India. In his column for 'ESPNCricinfo', Chappell, while lavishing praise on the young Indian team for being fearless, criticised the Englishmen, particularly Harry Brook, for failing to read situations which required perseverance instead of flashy strokeplay. "England's own journey in this series presents a cautionary subplot - one embodied by the brilliant but mercurial Harry Brook, whose virtues I have extolled publicly before," Chappell, a former India head coach, said. "He has time, range, confidence, and that rare gift of making batting look effortless. But cricket, particularly Test cricket, is not just about shot-making. It's about judgement. About recognising when the moment demands attack - and when it demands restraint," he added. England were 301/3 in pursuit of 374 when the 26-year-old Brook's dismissal triggered a collapse on the fourth day of the fifth Test in London that the home side lost by six runs on Monday. With that result, India tied the series at 2-2. "Brook's dismissal at The Oval, with the game finely poised, was symptomatic of the conundrum that is facing the England setup. The "Bazball" philosophy - of fearless, attacking cricket - has revitalised their Test side. But it cannot become an excuse to avoid doing the hard yards. "...all England needed was for one batter to hold his nerve. To absorb pressure. Brook went for the glory shot - and perished," he pointed out. "There's nothing wrong with positivity. But positive cricket doesn't mean reckless cricket. It means confident, calculated risk-taking." Chappell said a more restrained approach in challenging match situations would help Brook establish himself as a worthy successor to Joe Root, England's most prolific run-getter. "Brook is emerging, and he will learn. But to become the match-winner England need, he must embrace the grind along with the glamour. Root didn't become England's most prolific batter by always playing pretty strokes. "He earned it with grit. Brook will need to do the same if he is to fulfil his vast potential," he said. Giving his overall assessment of the series, Chappell said the showdown will be long remembered for not just the result but also the "theatre" it created. The two teams engaged in on-field verbal altercations during the hard-fought contests, all of which lasted five days. There were also gladiatorial displays by the likes of Rishabh Pant and Chris Woakes who took the field despite serious injuries to help their respective team's cause. "The subplots. The redefinition of roles. Both sides were tested -- physically, tactically, emotionally. "But it was India who emerged as moral victors. They won clarity. Identity. Purpose," he said.
India.com
25 minutes ago
- India.com
Why Jasprit Bumrah Skipped Crucial Tests Against England – Irfan Pathan Questions Workload Management
In what was expected to be a defining Test series between India and England, one narrative has stirred up heated debate among fans and experts alike — the performance and availability of Jasprit Bumrah, India's pace spearhead. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has publicly criticised Bumrah for what he terms a 'pick and choose' approach during the five-match Test series in England, questioning both his commitment and the team management's workload strategy. Bumrah's Partial Participation Raises Eyebrows Ahead of the high-stakes series, the BCCI had announced that Jasprit Bumrah would not feature in all five Tests, citing workload management. As it unfolded, Bumrah played only three out of five Tests — missing the final two at Edgbaston and The Oval, where India remarkably turned the series around and secured victories. While he bagged 14 wickets in three appearances, including two five-wicket hauls at Headingley and Lord's, his overall impact fell short of expectations. Pathan, unimpressed by the strategic rotation, questioned Bumrah's absence from key fixtures and suggested that the pacer didn't rise to the occasion when India needed him most. 'There were moments, like when a sixth over was needed. I spoke about this during commentary as well. Joe Root had been dismissed by him 11 times, and in that Lord's Test, Bumrah bowled just five overs. Just one more could have made a difference,' Pathan remarked on his YouTube channel. A Tale of Two Innings: Standout Starts, Silent Finishes Pathan broke down Bumrah's outings with sharp analysis. In the first Test at Headingley, Bumrah began strongly with a five-wicket haul in the first innings. However, when the match hung in the balance, defending a target of 371 runs, he went wicketless. England chased down the target — their second-highest fourth-innings chase at home — raising concerns about India's bowling depth and Bumrah's inability to apply pressure in crunch moments. Similarly, at Lord's, Bumrah's initial five-wicket spell etched his name on the honours board, but his inability to sustain momentum in the second innings — managing only two wickets — allowed England to seize control. His final appearance in Manchester was notably underwhelming, returning with just two scalps while England piled on 669 runs in their first innings. "He'll Get 6/10" – Pathan's Harsh Rating Sparks Debate While Bumrah's supporters highlight his wicket tally and early-match breakthroughs, Irfan Pathan was unsparing in his assessment. Calling on the expectations placed upon a senior bowler and leader of the attack, Pathan rated Bumrah just six out of ten for the series. 'You're the No.1 ranked bowler in the world. That comes with responsibility. When matches are on the line, you're expected to deliver. In all three Tests he played, India didn't win. That says something.' Team Management Also In the Line of Fire Pathan didn't just single out Bumrah. He also took a dig at the Indian team management for being overly cautious with his workload. 'I've always been against this 'pick and choose' mentality. If a player is fit and firing, and the team needs him, he should play. Managing fitness is important, but not at the cost of match-winning opportunities,' he added. Is Bumrah's Management Hurting Team India? The debate over workload vs. performance continues to simmer in Indian cricket. While it is common for fast bowlers to be rotated to avoid injuries, selectively missing critical matches — especially when the series is still alive — doesn't sit well with fans or former players. The question now is whether India's most lethal pacer is being overprotected or underperforming under pressure. Either way, Jasprit Bumrah's England tour will be remembered as one of what could have been, rather than what was delivered.
