India have been clear in their plan to play pace ace Jasprit Bumrah in three of the five Tests against England in the ongoing series. Ahead of the series, India had decided that Bumrah would only play in three Tests to manage his workload after a four-month absence due to a back injury earlier this year. As of now, he has already featured in the first and third games, and it NOW remains to be seen whether he will be making his appearance in the fourth Test in Manchester or in the fifth in London. Reacting to Bumrah’s workload, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh said, ‘Workload management is a new thing.’

“See, workload management is a new thing. Once IPL came, people said that I will bowl 24 balls in a match and they will be absolutely spot on, and that is how people trained. If you go back in the past? What was workload? Workload was fitness. Players played 5-match series in the past as well. But yes, if someone is concerned about the injury, then you need to be careful," Harbhajan Singh said on the sidelines of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025.

However, Harbhajan maintained that Bumrah’s request should be respected, as he is the most honest cricketer, and he will bowl 10 overs at a stretch if fitness allows him to. 

"But see, Jasprit is the most honest cricketer out there. If he is not in pain, he will not only bowl a 4-over spell, he will bowl a 10-over spell for you. He did that in Australia as well. He bowled so much there that he got injured. His action contributes to that well. His run-up is short, and you have to bowl at high speed, so the finishing of his action puts a lot of stress on the body. If his body is well, make him play 5 Tests. If he plays 5 Tests, India will win the series. Ask any opposition, they will say that they do not prefer facing Bumrah," he added.

At the moment, the five-match series is being led by England 2-1, having won the first and third matches. India, on the other hand, are hoping to make their comeback to level the series 2-2. The fourth Test is scheduled to begin on Wednesday in Manchester.