Ben Stokes vs Jasprit Bumrah: A comparison that misses the bigger picture

Ben Stokes vs Jasprit Bumrah: A comparison that misses the bigger picture

The match hung in the balance. India needed 135 runs, England needed six wickets. Given the form of India’s middle order throughout the series, the odds slightly favoured the visitors. With KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Kumar Reddy still to bat, India looked well-placed. The pitch, though worn, wasn’t treacherous. Cracks near the good length area posed questions, but it was far from being called a minefield.

However, the first hour of Day 5 proved decisive. England struck early and hard. Jofra Archer removed the dangerous Pant and Sundar, while Ben Stokes claimed the key wicket of a well-set Rahul. Both Archer and Stokes bowled extended spells through to the first drinks break, digging deep when their team needed them most.

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Stokes, in particular, delivered a heroic performance. He bowled 9.2 overs in the first session alone, nearly two hours of unrelenting effort. As if that wasn’t enough, he returned after Lunch for another 10-over spell up to Tea — relentless, tireless, and utterly committed. He finished with three crucial wickets, playing the all-important role in England’s narrow 22-run victory.

It wasn’t just the wickets or the pressure he created. It was the sheer volume and intensity of his overs that made the difference. On a tense final day, the England captain quite literally carried his team over the line. It was the narrowest win by runs at the historic venue, and Stokes was once again at the heart of it.

Stokes' relentless effort with the ball on Day 5, especially his extended spells, has reignited the debate around India’s cautious handling of Jasprit Bumrah. If Stokes can bowl marathon spells to win his side a Test, then why can't Bumrah be trusted to do the same? That’s the question many dejected Indian fans and pundits are now asking.

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India’s workload management policy, particularly for multi-format stars, has long prioritised longevity over short-term gains. Ahead of the England tour, the BCCI’s medical team assessed Bumrah’s fitness and ruled he would play only three of the five Tests. The decision followed his heavy workload during the IPL and a recent back injury sustained in Australia that had already ruled him out of the Champions Trophy.

Bumrah has effectively become India’s “handle with care” asset. His performances haven’t faltered — he’s delivered impactful spells, taking five-wicket hauls in both Tests he’s played. Yet, frustratingly for India, both efforts have come in defeats. His absence during the Edgbaston Test, which India won, also drew criticism, especially considering the team was 0-1 down at the time.

So far in this series, Bumrah has been used sparingly — short, high-intensity bursts of four to five overs per spell. While effective, this approach limits his influence across sessions. England have adjusted, often seeing him off patiently before cashing in when he's off the field, as they did so effectively at Lord’s.

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In contrast, Stokes bowled nearly 20 overs across two brutal spells on the final day, pushing himself to exhaustion in pursuit of victory. The comparison may be harsh given Bumrah’s injury history, but it’s one that is now hard to ignore for some fans.

For many, Lord’s was less about what England did right and more about what India didn’t let Bumrah do.

"Ben Stokes bowled a marathon 9.2 over spell in the morning on day five. What a player he is. He bowls, bats and executes a crucial run out of Rishabh Pant but there is no talk of workload management. But with India it is not like that,” Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube channel. "Bumrah bowls five overs and waits for Joe Root to come out to bat when you need to control the game (in the second innings). It was disappointing.”

While both Stokes and Bumrah are irreplaceable for their respective teams, comparing their roles and by extension, their physical demands, is not exactly like-for-like. The nature, intensity, and rhythm of their bowling workloads differ considerably. Stokes may send down longer spells, but typically at a controlled pace with tactical variation. Bumrah, meanwhile, operates in high-impact bursts, bowling at express pace, using sharp bouncers, and applying relentless pressure — something that demands far more recovery, especially for a body with a history of serious injuries.

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It’s also important to consider the broader context. Stokes, now 34, gives his all with bat, ball, and in the field, not to mention as captain, but he now focuses solely on Test cricket. He is also returning from a lengthy break, which might allow him to push harder physically. None of this, of course, diminishes his impact in the series, which has been immense.

Bumrah, on the other hand, carries a much heavier load. He plays all three formats, has undergone two back surgeries, and was recently part of a gruelling IPL season. Another injury could be career-threatening — a concern highlighted by Shane Bond earlier this year. Managing Bumrah's workload is, therefore, not just about short-term tactics, but long-term preservation of India’s most prized asset.

So, is it really fair or even useful to pit one against the other? Probably not. Numbers and narratives aside, some comparisons are best left alone. Instead, let’s appreciate two in-form world-class cricketers for the rest of what has already been a thrilling series.