Gautam Gambhir has firmly rejected Sunil Gavaskar’s plea to reconsider his approach toward managing Jasprit Bumrah’s workload during the ongoing Test series against England. Despite mounting pressure from cricketing legends and fans following Bumrah’s exceptional performance in the first Test, Gambhir has remained steadfast in sticking to the original plan of having Bumrah play only three out of the five scheduled Tests. He clarified that this decision was made even before the team landed in England, keeping in mind Bumrah’s past injury record and the importance of long-term player management.
Sunil Gavaskar, along with Cheteshwar Pujara, had urged the Indian team management to reconsider resting Bumrah, especially after his five-wicket haul in the first innings of the opening Test. Gavaskar argued that with India trailing in the series, it was essential for the team to field its best XI, particularly someone as impactful as Bumrah. However, Gambhir responded by reiterating that short-term outcomes wouldn’t override strategic planning and player welfare, especially with a packed international calendar ahead.
The head coach further emphasized that India has enough depth in the bowling lineup to cope with Bumrah’s absence in selected matches. He pointed to promising performances from other bowlers like Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur, suggesting that giving them opportunities would strengthen the bench and help distribute the workload more sustainably. Gambhir believes such calculated decisions are crucial to preserving Bumrah’s career longevity and ensuring his availability in high-stakes matches down the line.
With the second Test just around the corner, it remains uncertain whether Bumrah will be part of the playing XI. Former head coach Ravi Shastri has also expressed concerns, warning that leaving Bumrah out of key matches like the Edgbaston Test could hand England a significant advantage. Nonetheless, Gambhir seems determined to stick to the original strategy, signaling a strong message that player management in modern cricket requires discipline and foresight, even if it invites criticism in the short term.