Jasprit Bumrah opted out of India's test captaincy to prioritize workload management

The reason? Managing his workload carefully to prolong his career.

In a candid chat with Sky Sports' Dinesh Karthik, Bumrah explained that the decision was not about controversy or internal politics but a clear, pragmatic choice grounded in his physical wellbeing and team's stability.

"Before Rohit and Virat stepped away, I had already spoken to the BCCI about my workload concerns, especially with an upcoming five-Test series," Bumrah revealed. "I had conversations with my back management team and surgeon, and we all agreed I needed to be smarter about how I handle my fitness and workload."

Bumrah stressed that leading a team intermittently across a long series - splitting captaincy duties between different players - would be unfair to the squad. "It wouldn't be right if someone led for three Tests and someone else for two. The team deserves consistent leadership, so I told BCCI I wasn't ready for the responsibility."

His caution stems from a significant back injury sustained during the Border-Gavaskar series in Sydney earlier this year. Initially thought to be spasms, it was later diagnosed as a stress injury that sidelined him from the Champions Trophy and delayed his IPL 2025 start. Such injuries are serious for a fast bowler, with medical experts warning that a repeat could be career-ending.

"I'm aiming to play around three Tests in the series against England," Bumrah said about his fitness strategy. "The first Test is a definite, and after that, we'll assess. It's about balancing giving my best while not risking my body unnecessarily."

Returning strong in the IPL, Bumrah played a crucial role for Mumbai Indians, taking 18 wickets in 12 matches and helping the team recover from a rough start to reach the playoffs.

Despite his age of 31, Bumrah says he feels fit and ready for the Test challenge ahead. "I've managed my body well through a hectic IPL and the varying weather conditions. The key is to avoid sudden spikes in workload. We gradually build up overs and warm-ups so my body adapts smoothly."

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy saw Bumrah deliver an impressive 32 wickets across 152 overs, but the demands of English conditions and a packed schedule mean he must be tactical about his bowling spells.

"Every series is different. In Australia, I pushed hard because the stakes were high. But moving forward, I need to be smarter. There's less recovery time, and fast bowling takes a lot out of you. I've prepared well for England, but I'm also realistic about my limits," he said.

Ultimately, Bumrah's message is clear: putting the team first means making tough personal choices. For now, that means focusing on delivering peak performances without the added burden of captaincy, ensuring he remains a potent force for India in Tests to come.