India’s less than ideal workload distribution

Rotation of Bumrah and Kuldeep defies logic unlike Australia’s Ashes plans for their players

- Somshuvra Laha

India's Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah during the West Indies Test series.

Kuldeep Yadav is in Bengaluru now andis set to play the second unofficial Test against South Africa A starting on Thursday.

Three days back he was in Australia, packing his bags on being released from the squad after featuring only in the third inconsequential ODI and the first two T20Is.

It shows India can do without the wrist spinner in the T20I series, just as he was not needed in the first two ODIs. If that is the case, why pick him at all?

Earlier this year, India toured England with a rider that Jasprit Bumrah would be available for only three of the five Tests, to manage his workload.

Yet a month ago, Bumrah played the Ahmedabad Test against West Indies three days after featuring in the Asia Cup final in Dubai. He was picked for the second Test as well when — with due respect to West Indies —India could have even fielded a second eleven and still won both the Tests handsomely.

How is it an optimal use of Bumrah’s skill if he is ‘rested’ for two Tests in England, but made to toil against West Indies at home?