While the Indian team management keeps talking about managing the workload of the players, former England skipper Mike Brearley has said that even English all - rounder Ben Stokes needs his workload assessed as it is impossible for him to keep bowling flat and then score runs day - in and day - out.
"Stokes needs assurances from captain and selectors that he will not be bowled too much, that he will in most conditions be the fourth seamer, not the third, " Brearley who played 39 tests, wrote in a column for The Times.
"He cannot regularly bowl 20 overs a day, flat out, and regularly score six - hour centuries.
He has to be encouraged to make batting his first, not his second, string. "
Known for his tactical acumen, Brearley said that Stokes has been one of the England's best batsman in recent times as he has shown great consistency.
"A year ago, I said he (Stokes) was already one of England's three best batsmen, along with (Alastair) Cook and (Joe) Root.
Now he is one of, at most, our two best, " Brearley explained.
"I see in him no sign of internal conflict between styles of batting or priorities as to what his best contribution may be.
"A year ago I wrote . . .
that he could become the number three that England were looking for.
He plays straight, well forward or well back.
He pulls, hooks and drives with power and control. . .
And he now builds an innings. "