Bhuvneshwar Kumar hints at pacers taking rest during second half of IPL 2019

As this is the first time in the 12-year history of the IPL that the league will be played just before a Cricket World Cup, there have been many questions raised regarding the workload management and keeping Indian players fit ahead of the prestigious event which is scheduled to begin from May 30. All eyes will be on the fitness of the three premier pace bowlers of the Indian bowling attack – Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Now, ahead of the third ODI against Australia in Ranchi, Kumar has explained that the workload management is on their minds and they will decide about taking rest or continue playing only after the first six to seven IPL games.

"That [workload management] is something that's there in all of our minds. We have to manage everything. We cannot decide how much we are going to play or workload management. It will come into play after the first-half of IPL. six-seven matches, 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 (out fitness) in the second-half of IPL," Bhuvneshwar told the media in Ranchi, reported PTI.

The gruelling 12th season of the IPL will begin on March 23 and is expected to be played till May 15 which is close to two months. The World Cup will be a long one this year as well, as each team will have to play at least nine matches in the tournament in England and Wales. The Uttar Pradesh pacer, who represents Sunrisers Hyderabad in the league, has also said that there is no certainty about taking rest but he would want to take rest whenever he feels tired during the league. 

"There isn't a surety for anything. Yes there is something which is mind, if I feel that I am tired, then we can take rest. So of course it up to the franchise," the pacer stated. 

"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".

Last month, Indian skipper Virat Kohli also expressed concerns for his pace bowlers going into the IPL and hoped that the players would use their fitness module intact in order to stay fresh for the mega event.

"The amount you practice, with the amount of travel during the IPL and the number of games in different conditions, in different temperatures, it is going to be challenging, to be honest. But as a cricketer, you have to map out how many practice sessions you really need. If you are hitting the ball well, there is no need to go to a practice session and tire yourself out for three hours whereas you can utilise that particular phase to rest and recover even more," Kohli had said.