RP Singh Wants Jasprit Bumrah-Like Workload Management for Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj turned match-winner for India on the final day of the Oval Test, claiming three wickets in just 25 balls to take the team over the line.

RP Singh Wants Jasprit Bumrah-Like Workload Management for Mohammed Siraj

RP Singh urged the Indian team to manage Mohammed Siraj's workload like Jasprit Bumrah. (via India Today)

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Former pacer RP Singh advised India to manage Mohammed Siraj‘s workload with the same care given to Jasprit Bumrah. Singh’s comments came after Siraj’s stellar performance in the final Test against England, which was crucial in securing a series-leveling victory for India.

Mohammed Siraj led the Indian bowling unit from the front throughout the five-match series against England. The 31-year-old was at his best in the must-win final Test match at the Oval, and was adjudged the Player of the Match award for his nine-wicket haul. He recorded figures of 5/104 in the final innings, spearheading a comeback from a seemingly unwinnable position to help India level the series 2-2.

Thereafter, he finished the series with an impressive tally of 23 wickets, having bowled at an average of 32.43, also ending as the leading wicket-taker in the India-England series. Mohammed Siraj’s workload management has now been under spotlight, with many suggesting he needs adequate rest to recuperate and stay fit for the busy cricketing season ahead. Siraj was the only Indian pacer to have played all five matches, having bowled close to 185 overs. 

In contrast, the other Indian bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, and Prasidh Krishna, all missed at least two matches due to injury or squad rotation. In fact, Siraj also played all five matches of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, previously. The Indian team relentless strategy for Siraj prompted RP Singh to emphasize the need for a more structured workload management plan for the pacer.

Speaking to PTI, Singh suggested that Siraj’s workload has to be managed efficiently in order to prevent the pacer from getting injure in the future. He reasoned that fast bowlers are at a high risk of injury when they are made to play too many matches in a short period.

In order to avoid such a situation, RP Singh suggested that Indian selectors should provide the 31-year-old with rest, just as they have done with Bumrah, who only played three of the five matches in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

Workload management will be crucial to prevent [Mohammed] Siraj from getting injured in the future… His workload should be managed just like we did with [Jasprit] Bumrah.

The 39-year-old former bowler highlighted how Bumrah’s careful workload management by the team has contributed to his success in the T20 and ODI World Cups. While acknowledging that Mohammed Siraj is on the same level as Bumrah, RP Singh stressed the need for a similar strategy for the Hyderabad-born pacer, calling it a necessary measure that should be implemented sooner rather than later.

Fast bowlers are at higher risk of injury when they play too many matches in a short time… It’s because of better workload management, Bumrah bowled brilliantly in both ODI and T20 World Cups.

Furthermore, RP Singh also pointed out how Siraj has been an ideal partner for Bumrah, contributing to his success in red-ball cricket. In the two matches Bumrah missed against England, with Siraj as the frontline pacer, India went on to win both, ultimately leading to a drawn series.

Mohammed Siraj Climbs to Career-Best ICC Test Bowling Ranking Following Oval Heroics

After a scintillating display in the final Test of the series between India and England, Mohammed Siraj has made significant strides in the ICC Test Player Rankings. The 31-year-old pacer has climbed 12 spots to break into the top 15 of the Bowling Rankings for the first time in his career.

Mohammed Siraj Shubman Gill rankings
Mohammed Siraj climbed to the 15th spot on the ICC Test Bolwing Rankings, following Oval heroics. (via Hindustan Times)

Siraj has now risen to the 15th place in the ICC Test Bowling Rankings, with a total of 674 points. He joins ace Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah in the top 15, with Bumrah still maintaining his number one spot with 889 points. Meanwhile, Prasidh Krishna, who also picked up eight crucial wickets in the final Test match, jumped 25 places to the 59th position, while Akash Deep dropped six places to 57th.

Among the batters, Indian captain Shubman Gill, who was named Player of the Series, dropped out of the top ten to he 13th place after a quiet performance at The Oval. However, Yashasvi Jaiswal climbed back to the 5th spot after scoring a century in the first innings of the fifth Test.