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"If You're Good, Play" Gambhir Once Opposed Injury Management For Indian Players

Akshita Patel

Gautam Gambhir exposed with different views [Source: @Arsenik_Lahk, @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]Gautam Gambhir exposed with different views [Source: @Arsenik_Lahk, @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir once strongly opposed the idea of workload management for injury-prone players. In an interview with Star Sports in 2024, Gambhir opined that injury is not an excuse to not play all three formats, as representing India is important.

According to reports, India’s ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah is likely to miss the second Test against England in Edgbaston as a part of his workload management plan. 

Prior to the series, Bumrah confirmed that he’ll play only 3 of the 5 Tests as his body is not fit enough to handle excessive workload.

Gautam Gambhir Under Fire Over Old Opinions On Injuries

Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management plan has been approved by BCCI and head coach Gautam Gambhir, as they believe preserving their best fast bowler is a priority. 

However, back in 2024, Gambhir expressed a contradictory opinion. While speaking on the ‘Follow The Blues’ show on Star Sports, the now head coach opposed the idea of injury management.

"I am a very strong believer in one thing, that if you are good, you should be playing all the three formats. I have never been a big believer of 'injury management'. You got injured, you go and recover. As simple as it gets. You are playing international cricket, and you are good enough - you ask any of the top players - they want to play all the three formats. They don't want to be labelled as red-ball bowlers or white-ball bowlers," Gambhir said.

He stated that if a player is fit, he should play all three formats. According to Gambhir, no player should restrict themselves because of fear of injuries.

"Injuries are part of sportsmen's life. And if you are playing all the three formats, you get injured, you go back and get recovered but you should be playing all the three formats. I am not a big believer to identify people that okay we are going to keep him for Test matches and we are going to keep him and we are going to manage his injury and workload and stuff," he added.

However, with Bumrah now embracing a workload management plan under Gambhir’s supervision, fans have called out the latter’s hypocrisy.

What If Bumrah Misses The Edgbaston Test?

If Jasprit Bumrah misses the Edgbaston Test, Arshdeep Singh seems the better replacement over Akash Deep. With his left-arm angle, ability to swing the ball both ways, and exposure to English conditions via County cricket, Arshdeep brings rich variety to the pace battery.

On a likely flat Edgbaston pitch, Akash Deep’s reliance on seam movement may not work, making Arshdeep’s control and angles more effective against England’s top order.