IND vs SL Tests: Aakash Chopra backs Jasprit Bumrah's workload management

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Former Team India cricketer Aakash Chopra has backed Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management by calling him a “genius” player.

Speaking on The Great Indian Cricket Show on Doordarshan, he said, “If you have a genius like Jasprit Bumrah, and if his body needs some rest, if his load needs to be managed, why would you not do it? Bumrah is a genius. And there are many opinions of many people that if you are fit, then you should play. If you are not, then don’t play”.

Chopra then acknowledged that India would be able to cope up in Bumrah’s absence. He stressed that the team should make every effort to preserve the fast bowler’s long-term fitness.

“India will still manage. It will manage. Life goes on, whether there is someone or not. But if you have a genius like Bumrah, if his body needs some rest, if his load needs to be managed, why would you not do it? It’s a very simple thing,” he said.

Team India is set to take on Sri Lanka in the two-match Test series. The first match is scheduled to be played from August 15 at the Galle International Cricket Stadium near Galle Fort.

Ahead of the series, the visitors will miss out on services of Bumrah. He was advised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) medical team to take additional rest for a left-knee problem.

Bumrah has been out of action since the second ODI against England in Cardiff on July 16. He missed the concluding ODI at Lord’s, with the BCCI citing a field-impact injury sustained during the Cardiff fixture.

Following the tour of England, Bumrah reportedly received a knee injection as part of a long-term rehabilitation strategy formulated by medical staff.

Following his absence, the BCCI has named Auqib Nabi as his replacement.

IND vs SL 1st Test: Full squads

India: Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi, Sarfaraz Khan.

Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (WK), Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Vishwa Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Lahiru Udara, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Kamindu Mendis, Milan Rathnayake, Nishan Madushka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Dilshan Madushanka, Keshara Nuwantha.

(With ANI Inputs)

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