Virender Sehwag on Workload Management: “Batsmen Can Manage, But Fast Bowlers Need Protection”

Sehwag highlights Bumrah, Abhishek Sharma, and Varun Chakravarthy as India’s key game-changers for Asia Cup 2025

New Delhi, August 27: Former India opener Virender Sehwag has shared his candid thoughts on cricket’s most debated subject in recent times — workload management. The discussion gained momentum after the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, where questions were raised over Jasprit Bumrah’s limited appearances compared to Mohammed Siraj’s full five-Test stretch.

Speaking in a video posted by Sony Sports Network, Sehwag stressed that while workload management may not hold much weight for batters, it is absolutely vital for fast bowlers.

“I think workload is important, especially for bowlers. For batsmen, I don’t think workload is a problem since they can play regularly and don’t have to manage too many matches anyway. But for bowlers, especially fast bowlers, it’s crucial,” Sehwag explained.

He further added that India’s chances in global tournaments hinge on keeping its fast-bowling unit healthy.

“If they are managed properly, they can play longer. For India, it’s very important that all fast bowlers stay fit. In major tournaments like the Asia Cup or World Cup, their availability makes a big difference to India’s chances of winning.”

Bumrah’s Return, Rising Stars, and India’s Asia Cup Hopes

With speculation swirling around Bumrah’s fitness ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, fans were relieved when the pace spearhead was named in India’s 15-member squad. Sehwag hailed Bumrah as a proven “game-changer”, alongside rising star Abhishek Sharma and mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy.

“I think Abhishek Sharma can be a game-changer. Bumrah is always a game-changer. And Varun Chakravarthy, with his mystery bowling, was very effective in the Champions Trophy and the T20 format as well. These are players who can win matches single-handedly for India.”

Sehwag’s faith in Bumrah is well-placed. The ace pacer was instrumental in India’s T20 World Cup triumph last year, finishing with 15 wickets, and overall boasts 89 wickets from 70 matches at a stunning average of 17.74.

Meanwhile, Abhishek Sharma, who stepped into the T20 spotlight after Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format, has been nothing short of explosive. In just 17 T20Is, he has piled up 535 runs at a strike rate of nearly 194, with two centuries to his name.

On the bowling front, Varun Chakravarthy has been a revelation since Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as India’s head coach. With a sharper googly and fresh variations, he has terrorized batting line-ups, scalping 33 wickets in 15 T20Is, and is now seen as India’s frontline wicket-taker.

India’s Asia Cup 2025 Journey

India is placed in Group A alongside UAE, Pakistan, and Oman. The Men in Blue will:

• Face UAE in their opening clash on September 10,
• Take on arch-rivals Pakistan in the much-anticipated showdown on September 14,
• And wrap up their group-stage campaign against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi.

India’s 15-Member Squad for Asia Cup 2025

Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.