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.
The initial understanding is that the black-soil surface will have a lower bounce and will deteriorate appreciably through the course of the five days. It’s unlike how Chennai was with its red soil, providing bounce, zip, and eight wickets to Indian quicks in the first innings. Kanpur will tempt India to play three spinners, bringing in one of Kuldeep Yadav or Axar Patel.
Resting Bumrah would give an opportunity to give a central role to Akash Deep, who bowled the least among all India bowlers across the first Test. India’s last trip to Australia, in a very dramatic manner, taught the virtue of having a fast-bowling roster with sizable depth, and more.
With less than two months to go for the Australia trip, Bumrah’s long-term stump-wrecking ally – Mohammed Shami – is far from match fitness. That means, the more we see of Akash Deep – his fill-in in some ways – the better. Even if Shami arrives in time, Akash’s impressive beginnings could push Siraj for the third seamer’s spot.
The five Tests in Australia, preceded by three home Tests against New Zealand, are likely to keep Bumrah’s hands full for the rest of the year and beyond. He’s already had a busy year with a full IPL season and a trophy-winning T20 World Cup campaign. There’s also the small matter of the ICC Champions Trophy that follows the Australian sojourn, and a few breaths later, the ever-enticing India tour of England.
As for India, Bangladesh’s capitulation in Chennai is likely to be mimicked in Kanpur where spinners have a bigger role to play. Unless something dramatic unfolds, another home Test series should safely be in their bag. India already have one leg in the World Test Championship final: they wouldn’t really fret over Bumrah sitting out this one. Even though, at this point, there’s no team quite like Bangladesh that’s good at breaking streaks and springing surprises, India should be fine.
The back stress fracture from two years ago, and Bumrah’s prolonged absence, isn’t too far back in time to be forgotten. They’ve got 18 Tests lined up until Bumrah’s 32nd birthday next year – a game well-rested is as good as a game well-played.
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