Ben Stokes gave more than his everything in the Lord’s test and led England to an exciting 22-running victory over India and helped his party to take the lead 2-1 in a series of five matches. From the management as a captain to the delivery of key knocks 44 and 33, requesting five goals and performing a stunning direct hit to release Rishabh Pant.
It was no surprise when Stokes has been named a match player – His efforts were central to England, which won the narrowest victory of the test at the iconic London place. His whole heart to demanding conditions gained extensive praise from the whole cricket world.
As a result of the Stokes All-Action, a comparison with Jasprit Bumhrah appeared. The Indian Pacer was recently at the center of discussion on workload management, especially after the back injury he suffered during the New Year’s test against Australia.
Bumrah missed the Edgbaston test to manage his workload, a decision that caused a debate, especially after his lonely open performance in Leeds, where he took five goal in the first shifts. But with Stokes’ superhumsy efforts about Lord’s workload, the topic of workload has reappeared.
Irfan Pathan critical of Bumrah
Stokes stole the reflector again after publishing an extraordinary charm, bowling almost 14 overs on trot in the second shift. Five overs bowed on day 4, then continued on day 5 to send another nine consecutive crossing, showing immense endurance and determination.
Former Indian versatile Irfan Pathan critically weighed in the debate on work burden and called it “overrated”. He claimed that India did not use Jasprit Bumrah to full potential. According to Pathan, Bumhrahov’s workload was already managed with rest during the Edgbaston test and was supposed to be more available for the Lord’s match.
“Ben Stokes in the morning on day 5. On the day of the marathon 9.2 over the magic. What a player is. Bows, bats and make decisive to get out of Rishabh Pant, but the workload is not talked about.
“Bumrah mixes five crosses and waits for Joe Root to go on the bat when you need to control the game (in the second shift). It was disappointing,” Pathan said on his YouTube channel.
“His workload was managed that he did not play in Edgbaston.
Now the question is: can one compare the workload of Bumrah and Stokes?
Other career, different workload
While both are indispensable for their teams, their role-and extends their physical requirements significantly. Stokes is a real versatile, equalization line, medium launching and a bowling spell if necessary.
Bumrah, on the other hand, is a frontline fast pitch, whose work is spinning around high intensity, tempo-black spells that put unique tension on the body, especially back and joints.
The intensity, frequency and type of overs that are not comparable. Stokes can mix long spells, but often a more controlled pace and with a strategic variation. Bumhrahov’s workload includes explosions of express pace, shimmering Yorkers and persistent pressure – requiring more time to recover, especially after injury.
In addition, it is important to consider format requirements. Stokes is currently active in only one format – test cricket. From the English campaign at the World Cup 2022 T20, it appeared in the T20i from England, which won the title campaign, and its last ODI performance came during the ODI World Cup.
This resolution matters. Planning, recovery and preparation time across formats significantly contribute to physical and mental toll players in format. While Stokes can now direct all its energy to cricket red ball, Bumrah continues to navigate the requirements of tests, ODI and T20, which makes the workload management not only reasonable but necessary.
IPL factor
Indian Premier League (IPL) is of main importance for Indian crickets. In addition to the high -quality cricket, IPL is a huge commercial company focused on branding, distribution, TrP and income generation. If the awning players like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni or Jasprit Bumrah skipped the IPL, this could negatively affect these factors, which would lead to lower viewers and subsequently reducing income.
While international stars such as Mitchell Starc and Ben Stokes have decided to prefer international cricket several times from the IPL and maintain their condition, the scenario is for Indian players like Bumrah and Kohli. Technically, they can also decide to sit up IPL – no rules prevent them – but there are strong, unspoken pressures that make it difficult to pull.
For example, Bumrah played an intense cricket for two months before heading to England on a high -ranking test series. This raises concerns about the risk of injury due to excessive development. Bubrah’s ongoing battle with injuries over the years has called for him and the Indian team, so the management of workload makes a fine equalization act.
Therefore, as regards the management of workload, comparison of Bumhrah and Stokes is not quite fair. Both are invaluable to their teams and have a rare ability to change the course of the match with one hand. However, their career trajectory and requirements differ sharply.
Stokes, which has now only committed to cricket testing, has more space for recovery and relaxation. Bumrah, on the other hand, remains a three-format player for India and regularly appears in a high-intensity environment, much less space for recovery.
All eyes will be on both players when the fourth and penultimate test will begin on July 23 at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester.
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Published:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
16 July 2025
Tune
