“Someone like Bumrah needs an off-season because he puts so much into every ball” – Glenn McGrath

Legendary Glenn McGrath has cautioned India to use Jasprit Bumrah with guile and manage his workload to keep him fresh at the top level. McGrath reckons Bumrah needs an off-season because he puts so much into every ball.

Bumrah had suffered a stress fracture in his back for which he had to undergo the knife. Since recovering from the back injury, Bumrah has made a fantastic comeback to the top level.

The gun fast bowler scalped 19 wickets in four Test matches he played against England in a recent series. Bumrah will now play for Mumbai Indians in the upcoming Indian Premier League.

Glenn McGrath said on MRF Pace Foundation media interaction, “The last two strides that he takes, he just powers into the crease. Thus, his momentum increases, and that’s where he gets the pace. Someone like Bumrah needs an off-season because he puts so much into every ball. With so much extensive effort, he needs a break. If he keeps playing, the amount of pressure created given the bowling action he has, he is bound to get injured, which he has in the past.”

McGrath added that India’s fast bowling hasn’t gone through a transition as Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, and Umesh Yadav have performed consistently. Ergo, bowlers like Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, and Umran Malik have received limited chances.

“The Indian fast bowling has been set for a long time and hasn’t had a big turnover. The way (Mohammed) Shami, (Mohammed) Siraj, and Umesh (Yadav) have delivered, only when they move older, we can think of having a change,” said McGrath.

“We have Avesh Khan and many others in the fray. We will see in the future. Having so many good right-arm bowlers is the reason why we haven’t seen a left-arm Indian pacer lately,” McGrath added.

All the Indian fast bowlers, barring Mohammed Shami, will be in action in the upcoming IPL 2024.