Exclusive: Ashish Kaushik Reveals How Jasprit Bumrah Can Stay Fit for Gruelling England Test Series

Jasprit Bumrah will not likely play all five Tests in England to manage his workload. 

It is uncertain if he will appear in three or four games and where he can sit out. Keeping a skilled bowler like him ready for matches is a job for physiotherapists and trainers during the tough series that starts on June 20 in Leeds.

How does a fast bowler manage his workload? Ashish Kaushik, the former head physiotherapist of the Board of Control for Cricket in India's National Cricket Academy, Bengaluru, decoded the process. 

"There is an acute to chronic workload ratio for every player. Research suggests that a certain amount of workload must be maintained to reduce the risk of injuries, and going above or below that workload could pose a risk."

"As much as you can be overbowled, you can also be underbowled. Workload is not only for bowling but training, too. It should be measured from all strenuous activities: bowling, batting, fielding, strength work, and conditioning work. It should not spike up or drop from where they can deliver," Kaushik, who worked with the Indian cricketers from 2017 to 2021, told SportsBoom.com. 

Kaushik had travelled to the UK with Bumrah to consult specialists for a stress fracture suffered in 2019 — the bowler's first major injury break after starting Test career — and has also been instrumental in charting the recovery map for Ishant Sharma in the past.

Bumrah's injury breaks since 2023

In the past two years, Bumrah underwent back surgery in 2023 and returned with a bang on the tour of South Africa with 12 wickets in three innings. He maintained the momentum against England at home with 19 wickets in four Tests, followed by 32 wickets in five Tests in the tour of Australia before a back spasm ruled him out in the second innings of the Sydney fixture. The pacer also missed the ICC Champions Trophy.

Bumrah made a comeback in the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League. He picked up 18 wickets in 12 matches for Mumbai Indians.

How to keep Bumrah fresh

This year, he missed out on Test captaincy after Rohit Sharma's retirement due to limited availability.

Keeping him fresh for the series and the new World Test Championship cycle will be a priority for India. 

"Ahead of this Test series, the purpose should be to ensure all the players are in the safe zone, where the bodies are used to functioning at a certain level, and what they do on the field is not unexpected," said Kaushik.

He highlighted the basic recovery strategy. 

"After a bout of activity, one has to ensure the bodies recover on time before the next activity. They need offloading for a long time, where sleep, nutrition and emotional recovery are essential. It helps keep players energised for the next session," he reasoned.

No compromise on training

Training doesn't stop for any fast bowler, irrespective of past injuries. 

"Strengthening a bowler enough to take the load of bowling is crucial. They will need to train and strengthen up, spend enough time on the ground and run enough in the form of conditioning programs and ensure the bodies can return in second and third spells and deliver in the same manner," said Kaushik, who has also worked with the Essex County Cricket Club.

It remains to be seen if Bumrah operates in shorter spells or continues in full throttle in long spells in England. 

"There have been instances where fast bowlers have bowled the entire series. Not every bowler may need time off. It depends on how much a bowler needs to be protected. If there are any risk factors, like previous injuries resurfacing, then they need to be protected by giving them adequate rest and offering them shorter spells. However, it is not true for every bowler," he said.

Currently, Kaushik is the co-founder of YOS, a pan-Indian organisation working on sports health. It has recently spread its wings in the United Kingdom, too.

"People who do not have access to technology and infrastructure need more time to recover from sports injuries. I have seen non-athletes suffering from problems for months and years. Our priority is to democratise muscular, skeletal and sports health. There are lots of aspirational athletes and active people, and they need someone to address their aches and injuries. We have four centres in Bengaluru, an online program, and we wish to add more centres to grow as a brand."

As for Bumrah, he will guide the fast bowling group in the seaming English conditions, where he has 37 wickets, including two fifers, in nine Tests at an economy of 2.72.