India rejects Bumrah-Stokes workload comparison: 'Not here to compare our bowlers to individuals from other teams'

India rejects Jasprit Bumrah-Ben Stokes workload comparison

The workload of England captain Ben Stokes has been frequently compared to that of Jasprit Bumrah ever since he bowled two lengthy spells against India in the Lord's Test. Stokes was even praised by former India pacer Irfan Pathan for bowling from one end to secure England's triumph and for not worrying too much about the future. He added that even though Bumrah was rested for the last game in Edgbaston, the Indian management did not do the same with him.

On Day 5 of the Lord's Test, Stokes bowled 19.2 overs, and his lengthy spell was a major factor in England's victory by 22 runs. Ryan ten Doeschate, the assistant coach for India, has now commented on the workload comparisons between Bumrah and Stokes, stating that not all players worldwide must emulate the England captain.

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“That was super impressive for Ben to come out on their last day and bowl the amount of overs he did with the intensity he did, and obviously bats and fields as well. We’re not here to compare our bowlers to individuals from other teams," the India assistant coach said while speaking to reporters in Beckenham.

"We have our own strengths. We know what Jasprit particularly does in spells, in shorter spells, which he prefers bowling in,” the former Netherlands international added.

Citing Mohammed Siraj as an example, Ten Doeschate emphasised that the team management is utilizing Bumrah to the fullest. He added that both the captain and the coach are fully aware of their decisions and know exactly what they’re doing.

“And when the time’s right, and what I alluded about Siraj, some bowlers are like that. You get the best out of them in their seventh, eighth and ninth over, but not everyone has to be the same as that. And we feel that in consultation with Jasprit, how we use him is the best way for the team,” Ten Doeschate said.

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Doeschate went on to say that although the topic of discussion may be Bumrah, it's also critical to manage Siraj's workload. “It is equally important to manage the workload of someone like Mohammed Siraj, who is always ready to bowl those extra overs, like Stokes did on day five at Lord’s,” said the assistant coach.

“We take for granted how lucky we are to have someone like that. I know he doesn’t always have the returns that you expect from a fast bowler, but in terms of heart, he’s like a lion and what he brings to this bowling attack, whenever he does have the ball in hand, you always feel like something’s going to happen,” he added.