Mohammed Siraj Sets New Benchmark In England, Triggers BCCI To Review Workload Management Policy & End Selective Participation News24 –

Mohammed Siraj’s powerful effort for India in the Test series against England has reportedly led to a significant reconsideration by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on workload management and player availability across formats.

According to a PTI report, Siraj bowled 185.3 overs in five Tests and finished with 23 wickets, the top figure in the series. This has provided head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar with the push to plead for more consistency in players’ availability. The pair, along with other senior BCCI administrators, is reported to be backing standard selection criteria, marking the end of the common practice of players being in and out of series due to workload management.

“There have been discussions and the message will be sent across to the centrally contracted players, especially those who are all format regulars, that this culture of picking and choosing games won’t be entertained in the near future,” a senior BCCI official privy to current happenings told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

“It doesn’t mean that workload management will be thrown out of the window, but a more objective approach is expected in the near future. Obviously, fast bowlers’ workload needs to be managed, but it can’t be accepted that in the name of workload management, people will miss crucial matches.”

The report asserts that internal deliberations have already occurred after the conclusion of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, and a formal letter to all centrally-contracted players is awaited in due course. The action is intended to stem the rising tide of selective participation, especially if fitness and injury management are mentioned without accountability.

The change is following criticism by Sunil Gavaskar, who recently expressed annoyance at the constant debate surrounding workload management, “hasn’t gone down too well with the powers that be in the BCCI.” according to PTI. Though Gavaskar refrained from pointing fingers at anyone, he lauded Siraj’s toughness, adding that the seamer was one of just two pacers to play all five games – and the sole Indian to do so.

However, Jasprit Bumrah’s limited role in the series has raised eyebrows within the BCCI. Despite being cleared to play after recovering from back spasms suffered during the Sydney Test earlier in the year, Bumrah was rested for two matches in the England series on the advice of the BCCI’s medical team, as part of a precautionary measure to manage his workload.

Even as Bumrah had demonstrated his fitness by playing in the IPL before the England Tests, his patchy appearances have not gone down well with key decision-makers, as per the PTI story. The episode has also raised questions about the Sports Science and medical staff at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, with questions being asked about the consistency and openness of their advice.

Briefly, the BCCI seems set to reframe expectations of player commitment, particularly for central-contract players. If implemented, the new rule may signal a sea change in the way India manages fitness and shapes selection policy, putting an end to automatic rest periods that lack a clear medical rationale.