‘He’s Only a Spring Chicken’: Glenn McGrath’s Big Advice for Jasprit Bumrah Raises Questions Over India Star’s Long-Term Future

With India preparing for its upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, all eyes remain on one player—Jasprit Bumrah. While the star fast bowler has been named in the squad, his participation will depend on receiving fitness clearance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)‘s Centre of Excellence after recovering from a knee injury.

Amid growing discussions around Bumrah’s recurring fitness issues, former Australia pace legend Glenn McGrath has shared his thoughts, offering both praise and practical advice for one of modern cricket’s finest fast bowlers.

McGrath: ‘He’s Only a Spring Chicken’

Speaking about Bumrah’s future, Glenn McGrath described the Indian pacer as someone who still has plenty of cricket left if he manages his body carefully.

“He’s only a spring chicken,” McGrath remarked while highlighting that the 31-year-old still has several productive years ahead.

The legendary Australian, widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history, said Bumrah now faces an important career decision regarding how he wants to balance international formats.

McGrath noted that the decision ultimately depends on Bumrah’s physical condition and whether he prioritises Test cricket, limited-overs cricket, or a balanced workload across formats.

He also pointed out that Bumrah’s unique bowling action, particularly the hyper-extension of his bowling arm, naturally places additional stress on his joints, making injury management even more important.

Bumrah Recovering From Knee Injury

Bumrah suffered an impact injury to his knee during India’s ODI series against England after being struck while fielding in the second match in Cardiff.

Since then, the right-arm pacer has been undergoing rehabilitation under the supervision of the BCCI Centre of Excellence.

Although he has been included in India’s squad for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, his availability remains subject to medical clearance.

Given Bumrah’s importance across all formats, team management is expected to take a cautious approach before making a final decision on his return.

McGrath Questions Modern Fast-Bowler Management

Beyond Bumrah’s individual situation, McGrath also expressed concern about the modern trend of heavily protecting fast bowlers from excessive workloads.

According to the Australian great, injuries are an unavoidable part of fast bowling, but players should focus on becoming physically stronger rather than spending extended periods being “wrapped in cotton wool.”

McGrath argued that prolonged rehabilitation programmes, while necessary after serious injuries, can sometimes leave bowlers lagging behind in overall fitness and strength, making the return to competitive cricket even more demanding.

His comments reflect a traditional school of thought that emphasises physical conditioning and resilience over conservative workload management.

India Will Hope for a Fully Fit Bumrah

For India, Bumrah remains one of the most valuable weapons in Test cricket. His ability to generate pace, movement and accuracy makes him indispensable, particularly in overseas conditions.

With important international assignments on the horizon, the Indian team will be hoping the ace fast bowler returns only when fully fit, ensuring both immediate impact and a longer playing career.

As McGrath suggested, striking the right balance between fitness, workload and longevity could determine just how many more memorable years Indian cricket gets from one of its greatest modern fast bowlers.