A long Test season has kicked off for India: yet, just one Test in, it's the best time to give Jasprit Bumrah a small break, writes Aadya Sharma.
“Every match is important”.
Rohit Sharma’s rather banal, overused remark from last week to describe India’s long Test season might not need much reading into. The World Test Championship has, to a certain degree, brought context to even a lopsided Test series: you’re almost always looking to play your best team.
For India, arguably the first name on their best team is Jasprit Bumrah.
Part of the magic of having a wondrous boon like Bumrah is being shrewd with his workload. The cricketing calendar can be maniacal, and you’re always looking at pockets to rest the weary.
India’s got nine more Tests lined up this season: that number equals the most Bumrah’s played in a single year (and he’s already played six in 2024).
One of those pockets can easily come with the Kanpur Test, the second of a two-match series against Bangladesh India’s already leading.
The argument begins with Kanpur’s Green Park, which is expected to be, well, black.
