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Workload management is a new thing: Harbhajan ahead of crucial Manchester Test

Workload management is a new thing: Harbhajan ahead of crucial Manchester Test

India Today20-07-2025
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh believes that the term "workload management" is perhaps overused in international cricket. Speaking ahead of the 4th Test match at Manchester, the off-spinner said that 'workload management' is a new thing in world cricket and has happened due to the popularisation of T20 cricket.A trending term in world cricket since Covid-19, several teams now carry different units for different tours due to player fatigue. With cricket being played all around the year, international teams now find time and space to put their top players on leave to keep them fresh for longer periods of time.advertisementIn India's case, fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is expected to play only 3 out of the 5 Test matches against England, keeping in mind the injury he faced in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25.
Harbhajan reacted to Bumrah's workload and said that the fast bowler's request for lower playing time should be respected because he is one of the most honest cricketers out there."See, workload management is a new thing. Once IPL came, people said that I will bowl 24 balls in a match and they will be absolutely spot on, and that is how people trained. If you go back in the past? What was workload? Workload was fitness. Players played 5-match series in the past as well. But yes, if someone is concerned about the injury, then you need to be careful," Harbhajan Singh said."But see, Jasprit is the most honest cricketer out there. If he is not in pain, he will not only bowl a 4-over spell, he will bowl a 10-over spell for you. He did that in Australia as well. He bowled so much there that he got injured. His action contributes to that well. His run-up is short, and you have to bowl at high speed, so the finishing of his action puts a lot of stress on the body. If his body is well, make him play 5 Tests. If he plays 5 Tests, India will win the series. Ask any opposition, they will say that they do not prefer facing Bumrah," he added.Kuldeep Should PlayThe former spinner further commented on the Indian team and stated that Kuldeep Yadav must be included in the playing line-up in Manchester. Harbhajan argued that Kuldeep's ability to bowl with incredible variety will work well against the Bazballing English side.Harbhajan believed that it should be Nitish Kumar Reddy who should make way for the spinner."Kuldeep should be playing. The brand of cricket England like to play, they will not be able to do that against Kuldeep. He could be your mystery bowler against them. You have to reduce one batter from the team. If it was left to me, I would drop Nitish Reddy and bring in Kuldeep," Harbhajan said.advertisementThe spinner also suggested a tweak in India's batting line-up, stating that Sai Sudharsan should be given an extended run with the Indian team. He argued that not playing Sudharsan would fail the purpose of giving him a chance at No.3 in place of Karun Nair in the opening Test match of the series."I would have stuck with Sai Sudharsan. I would not have thrown him out after just one game. You gave him a chance at No.3 ahead of Karun Nair, and you should have stuck with him for at least three matches. He is a phenomenal talent and should get the backing of the team management. You played him over Karun, then you dropped him. Now there is an air that you want to drop Karun also from the next game, this simply ruins the flow, doesn't it?" he concluded.- EndsTune In
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