Former South African fast bowler Vernon Philander believes it is crucial for India’s think tank to manage Jasprit Bumrah’s workload. Philander said the team management and selectors should make Bumrah play in the crucial series and tournaments.

Bumrah suffered a back injury in the fifth Test match against Australia at Sydney and could not bowl in the second innings. Indian captain Rohit Sharma, on Wednesday, revealed that they are uncertain on Bumrah’s availability for the opener against England and they are waiting for scans.

Rohit Sharma said in press conference on Wednesday, “We are waiting for some updates on his scan, which are due to happen over the next few days. Once we get that scan report, we will have more clarity in terms of where he stands right now, and if he will be available for the last ODI.”

Bumrah was brilliant on the Australian tour, bagging 32 wickets at 13.06 and he is going to hold the key in the Champions Trophy.

Vernon Philander said on the sidelines of SA20, “Overall, if you look at the amount of games that India plays, obviously over the calendar year, that load is quite massive,. I think it’s more about how the Indian management manage him. I would say, you look at a guy like Jasprit Bumrah, and you want him to be playing all the key series, all the key tournaments. So they have to manage his workload in between tournaments.”

“With IPL coming up, you want a player like him to be available for most games but how do you manage him throughout the IPL season? So I would say you perhaps want to look at playing him in all the main features and give other bowlers an opportunity in less important matches. But again, it’s such a tough chat to have, because as a bowler, you want to go out there, you know, there’s records to be broken, so you want to keep playing,” he added.

The first ODI between India and England will be played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur on Thursday.