"We've been very careful" - Rohit Sharma on Jasprit Bumrah's workload management in BGT 2024-25

Team India captain Rohit Sharma has admitted that the visitors run the risk of over-bowling Jasprit Bumrah in the ongoing Test series against Australia. He, however, asserted that he has been constantly chatting to the lead pacer in his endeavor to ensure that the fast bowler's workload is managed properly.

Bumrah has been the standout performer for India with the ball in BGT 2024-25. In four Tests, he has claimed 30 wickets at an exceptional average of 12.83, with three five-fers and two four-wicket hauls. The right-arm pacer has sent down over 140 overs across four Tests.

At a press conference following India's 184-run loss in Melbourne on Monday, December 30, Rohit admitted being mindful of the fact that he could end up over-bowling Bumrah. At the same time, he added that the team also needs to maximize his brilliant bowling form. The Indian captain said (as quoted by ANI):

"To be honest, he has bowled a lot of overs. There is no doubt about it. But again, every Test match we play, we keep that in mind. You know, the workloads of all the bowlers in fact. But again, if somebody is in such a great form, you want to try and maximize that form how much ever you can. And that is what we've been trying to do with Bumrah.

"But there comes a time where you need to step back a little bit and give him that little bit of extra breather as well. So, we've been very careful. I've been very careful. I talk to him about how he feels and stuff like that. So, yeah. Those things should be managed carefully. And I'm trying to do that on the field," Rohit added.

Even as India succumbed to pressure in the Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne, Bumrah was outstanding yet again. He claimed 4-99 in the first innings and 5-57 in the second.

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"Siraj is bowling his heart out" - Rohit Sharma

While Bumrah has been brilliant from the start of the Test series, the same cannot be said about the other pacers in the Indian team. Mohammed Siraj has managed 16 wickets but has been inconsistent, which reflects in his average of 31.44. As for Akash Deep, he has only five wickets in two Tests at an average of 54. Rohit, though, backed the bowlers and said:

"Look, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj are the frontline seamers...Siraj, especially, is bowling his heart out. I don't think there's anything else that he can do. Obviously, there are technical aspects of his game that he's looking into. But other than that, in terms of his effort, his attitude, bowling those long spells, he's always up there. It's just that the wicket column doesn't show how well he's bowled."

India tried out Harshit Rana in the first couple of Tests, but he only managed four wickets at an average of over 50. Nitish Kumar Reddy has played all four Tests but has only picked up three scalps.