jackpot city casino IND Vs AUS, 5th Test: Rohit Sharma Keen To Manage Jasprit Bumrah's Workload Judiciously

free slots 7780Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah during India's fourth Test against Australia Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah during India's fourth Test against Australia

Rohit Sharma insisted that India are carefully managing Jasprit Bumrah's bowling workloads ahead of India's fifth and final Test against Australia on Thursday. (Full Coverage | More Cricket News)

Bumrah has been in impressive form during their clashes for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, claiming 30 wickets so far at an average of 12.83. 

His 53.2 overs that he bowled in Melbourne last time out were the most he has ever produced in a Test match, taking his tally to 141.2 for the entire series. 

For context, Australia's Pat Cummins (136.4), Mitchell Starc (131.2) and Mohammed Siraj (129.1) are the bowlers with the next highest figures across the previous four Tests. 

His second innings bowling figures of 5-57 saw Bumrah become the joint-second fastest Indian bowler to reach 200 wickets in men's Tests, behind only Ravichandran Ashwin. 

While Bumrah has proved his importance to India, India captain Rohit suggested that his star bowler may not be as frequently involved in Sydney. 

"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," Rohit said. 

"You know, the workloads of all the bowlers in fact. But again, if somebody is in such great form, you want to try and maximise that form whenever you can.

Akhimullah Anuar scored Malaysia's lone goal in the 34th minute. The victory gave India the lead in the standings with nine points from three successive wins.

Known as 'The Wall' for his impeccable skills in front of the goalpost, Sreejesh was instrumental in guiding the team through remarkable successes, including two Asian Games gold medals, and two Champions Trophy silver medals.

"And that is what we've been trying to do with Bumrah.

"But there comes a time when you need to step back a little bit and give him that little bit of an 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."

44 - With bowling figures of 4/56* in the ongoing second innings vs #Australia, @Jaspritbumrah93 (202 wickets*) became the joint second fastest #TeamIndia bowler to reach the 200-wicket mark in men's #Tests (44th match) behind @ashwinravi99 (37 matches). Milestone. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/z6a6EPyUBY

— OptaJeev (@OptaJeev) December 29, 2024

India will hope to recover from their second-innings collapse in the fourth Test, finishing 155 all out as Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland ripped through the tail-end of their attack.

They have now been bowled out for less than 160 six times in 2024, the joint-most for them in a calendar year.

But one positive from the fourth Test was the performance of Nitish Kumar Reddy, who notched a maiden century in the first innings to lead India's comeback. 

He became the sixth Indian player after Ajay Ratra, Anil Kumble, Kapil Dev, Ajit Agarkar and Hardik Pandya to score a ton in a men's Test outside India, batting at eight or lower. 

But the seamer has yet to show his quality with the ball, bowling just 35 of India's 542.2 overs in their last four Tests, and Rohit is thinking of utilising his prowess with the ball. 

"When we saw him [Reddy] for the first time, we saw there's a lot of potential, which is why he came here in the first place," Rohit said.

"And he's come and shown here what he's capable of. You know, with the bat, he was brilliant. He understood the situation pretty well, read the situation pretty well.

"And he's got solid technique as well. And superb mind, not to forget.

"Right now it's very hard to say the growth part because there's only been four test matches for himjackpot city casino, but I hope that he plays for long enough for India in all forms."