'It's not like it is for Bumrah alone': India's batting coach's clear-cut stance on workload management ahead of IND vs ENG 3rd Test

India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak turned up for the pre-match press conference ahead of the all-important third Test against England which is scheduled to get underway from July 10. During the presser Sitanshu Kotak was questioned about the perception that India's workload management strategies might be specifically tailored for their premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah. However, Kotak dismissed any such notion. He clarified that the team's approach to managing workload takes into account the individual needs and specific issues that each bowler might be facing.

It's not like workload management is for Bumrah alone: Sitanshu Kotak

In a decision that sparked considerable discussion, India opted to rest their premier bowler Bumrah for the second Test against England despite having suffered a loss in the preceding match. However, this move proved to be an inspired decision, as Bumrah's replacement Akash Deep stepped up admirably and claimed an impressive total of 10 wickets in the match.

"It's not like workload management is for Bumrah alone. Every bowler's fitness is different and everyone has different issues. [Mohammed] Siraj is someone who bowls a lot. The bowling coach [and team management] keeps a track of that. If they feel anyone needs a rest...Of course, the bowler will also know. Other than that, there is no discussion on it," Kotak said during the press conference on July 8.

Besides Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj's seven-fer was also instrumental in India's 336-run win over England at Edgbaston.

With series levelled at 1-1, India will be bolstered with the return of Bumrah in the Lord's Test. Right after winning the Edgbaston Test, captain Shubman Gill confirmed that Bumrah will walk into India's playing XI for the upcoming Test.

Notably, since 2020, Bumrah (having bowled 1030.1 overs and taken 148 wickets at an average of 19.75) and Siraj (with 956.5 overs and 109 wickets at an average of 30.95) have shouldered the majority of the pace bowling responsibilities for India. No other Indian pacer, not even the experienced Mohammed Shami (who has bowled around 485 overs), has reached the 500-over mark during this period. This dependence on Siraj and Bumrah becomes even more pronounced during overseas tours, where the pitches typically offer more assistance to fast bowlers. Conversely, on home soil, the spin quartet of Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar play a crucial role in providing the pace bowlers with much-needed rest on spin-friendly tracks.