Workload (mis)management: Why IPL franchises need to do better

(Left to right) KKR’s Varun Chakaravarthy, MI’s Jasprit Bumrah and RR’s Riyan Parag during IPL 2026. New Delhi: Sunday was a big day in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Not only did he decide the fourth and final team for the playoffs, but he also highlighted how workload management had gone awry. Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders were in action on the two-match day and the final day of the league phase highlighted how the franchises (mis)managed Indian cricketers.Mumbai Indians eventually decided to rest Jasprit Bumrah, but the decision came two weeks later as the team was out of contention for the playoffs on 10 May. They could have allowed India’s premier fast bowler to take a breather. It is worth noting that the bowler, as revealed by head coach Mahela Jayawardene, struggled before entering the tournament but was drafted into the playing eleven right from the start. As first reported by TimesofIndia.com, Bumrah was at the BCCI CoE and it can be confirmed that it was not a back problem but a knee nipple that required attention. Former BCCI Head of Sports Science Nitin Patel, who is currently with the MI franchise, accompanied him to Bengaluru. The 32-year-old joined the team late and trained on the sidelines after a few days.Now the question arises: if everyone in the MI camp was aware of the debacle and the visit to the Council of Europe, what was the rush to call him up to the XI? The franchise had it very easy with Rohit missing nearly a month of cricket due to a hamstring problem and playing mostly as an Impact Player, yet they kept India’s MVP on the park for 13 games, most of which were dead rubbers.BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told TOI that the Indian cricket board cannot “micro-manage” their workload during the IPL and has decided not to intervene.“BCCI cannot micro-manage the workload and fitness of players during the IPL. We cannot micro-manage the workload and fitness of the players during the IPL because otherwise it will interfere with the functioning of the franchises by the BCCI regarding the activities of their teams and players,” Saikia told TOI.

Kolkata Knight Riders’ Varun Chakaravarthy celebrates with his teammates Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel’s goal during the Indian Premier League. (AP photo)

Not just Bumrah, even Varun Chakravarthy played with a hairline fracture for KKR and skipper Ajinkya Rahane defended the decision by saying they got clearance from the medical team.“You see, our team physios and the BCCI NCA physios and the Indian team, there was a discussion between them. I don’t get involved at all. That is their department. My department is about what is the mindset of the player, whether the player wants to play or not, how much is the risk,” Rahane said after KKR’s last league match at Delhi Capitals, which they lost to.

Riyan Parag celebrates Eshan Malinga’s goal of Sunrisers Hyderabad during an Indian Premier League match. (AP)

RR skipper Riyan Parag also revealed that he is “definitely not fit” after the win over Mumbai Indians. He not only played this game but also played the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday. Parag is on the BCCI’s list of targeted players and will deputize for India A captain Tilak Varma for the tri-series in Sri Lanka next month.Even Arshdeep Singh was operating with “limitations” in his body, Punjab Kings Head of Sports Science Andrew Leipus revealed.It is understandable that no player would want to miss out on an IPL game, but the BCCI, IPL franchises and key stakeholders must align to ensure that Indian cricket remains a top priority. A few days after the IPL ends, more players will be off for different assignments. The last thing any Indian side would want is a burnt out and mismanaged cricketer with warts.