World Cup-bound bowlers will have to manage their workload in IPL: Bhuvneshwar Kumar

The Indian spearhead Bhuvneshwar Kumar has joined the Indian team ahead of the third one-day International at Ranchi which is scheduled to be played at Jharkhand Cricket Stadium, Ranchi. On the eve of the game, the pacer went onto express his thoughts and said that he is hopeful that each and every franchise will have the Indian team’s interests in mind.

Bhuvneshwar on Thursday said that the bowlers who know that they will board a flight to England for the forthcoming World Cup bowlers could pick and choose matches during the second phase of IPL as part of the workload management programme.

The Indian team management has been categorical in its demand that the troika of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s workload be effectively managed by franchises ahead of the World Cup starting May 30.

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Asked about the hectic IPL schedule, Bhuvneshwar, who is Sunrisers Hyderabad’s key bowler, said: “That’s there in our minds. It will come into play after the first half of IPL, six-seven matches then we can know how we can approach the second half of IPL and what we need to do to remain fit for the World Cup.

“Yes, it (World Cup) is there on our minds but we’ll look after (our fitness) in the second half of IPL,” replied Bhuvneshwar, making it clear that it will also be a prerogative of the players and their discussions with franchises.

Recently, Kolkata Knight Riders CEO Venky Mysore said that there had been no communication from the BCCI with regards to workload management.

Chairman of selectors MSK Prasad had said that talks were on to chalk out a feasible plan.

Bhuvneshwar said that if he feels tired, he will take rest, but only after taking the franchise into confidence.

“There isn’t a surety for anything. Yes, there is something which is mind, if I feel that you know if I feel that I am tired, then we can take rest. So of course, it up to the franchise.”

The pacer is hopeful that each and every franchise will have the Indian team’s interests in mind.

“I am sure they will cooperate with each and every player because WC is a very important thing for us and BCCI may also talk to them,” he said, adding that it is for “every player playing World Cup”.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Indian World Cup-bound bowlers will have to manage their workload in IPL.
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar joins the set up ahead of the third ODI. 
• The third ODI is scheduled to play on March 8 at JSCA, Ranchi.