Jasprit Bumrah dragged as Umar Gul exposes insecurity in Pakistan, admits being inferior to India

Former Pakistan National Cricket Team pacer Umar Gul has shared his bold views on the workload management and rotation policy followed by the India National Cricket Team.

Umar Gul said that such a system can't be implemented in Pakistan because the senior players are insecure about their place and fear axing if their replacement performs well.

If he’s even 70-80% fit, he would say, ‘I want to play’ - Umar Gul

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) follows a proper workload management plan to ensure that the Indian players remain fresh most of the time and their bodies don't break down.

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Over the years, the BCCI has sent the second-string teams to less important international tours, given proper rest to aging players, and managed their workload.

The most recent workload management case that happened in Indian cricket was related to the pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

Despite being the best bowler in the world and the most dangerous weapon in India's arsenal, Bumrah was given the privilege by the BCCI to pick and choose matches on the England tour.

When Umar Gul was asked about Bumrah's workload management and India's rotation policy on PTV. He replied:

"Unfortunately, in our (Pakistan cricket’s) system, in our culture, the problem is that when we also used to play, any senior player was hesitant. If he’s even 70-80% fit, he would say, ‘I want to play’.

"This was because if another player comes in and performs, then a rotation policy is not in our culture. We only look at the performance: this new guy has performed, so bring him in and let him play. So, I think this trust should be developed (in Pakistan cricket culture) and the rotation policy should be there. Your priority should be the senior player when he gets fit, you should play him."

But the players themselves know from the inside how much rest they need - Umar Gul

Umar Gul further said that the responsibility to manage injuries and rehabs falls in the hands of players, team management, trainers, as well as medical staff, and India have built a solid system. He said:

"Players also have a responsibility, so does the management, even your trainers and your medical staff. Both sides have a responsibility (when it comes to injuries and rehab).

"I’ll say the player’s responsibility is because if a player is injured, he himself knows the most about how he is feeling from the inside. What caused the injury? The doctor will tell you and will inform you that you should rest for two weeks, or five weeks. But the players themselves know from the inside how much rest they need and when they are ready."

The rehab for players is very important - Umar Gul

Also, Umar Gul emphasized the importance of the proper rehabilitation programme while recovering from injuries, especially for pacers, to ensure that one doesn't lose their pace. He elaborated:

"The rehab for players is very important. I think we (Pakistan) have some players who, after their injury, their rehab was not perfect, so their pace which gets lost or goes down a little, the rehab has a big role in that as well. So, I think India have a system.

"The rehab that the doctor tells you to do for six or five weeks, it means they are giving you an extra week so that you have a complete recovery. Plus, the most important thing is the rotation policy, right? Or we say that Bumrah is rested and is only played in World Cup or ICC events. So, the confidence that our premium bowler will be the first priority when he comes back after being fit.".

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