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"Bumrah's Workload Is Important" Gambhir Dismisses Gavaskar's 'Play All Tests' Request

Soumyajit Dutta

Sunil Gavaskar, Jasprit Bumrah and Gautam Gambhir [Source: @Aryaseen5911/X.com]Sunil Gavaskar, Jasprit Bumrah and Gautam Gambhir [Source: @Aryaseen5911/X.com]

India's pace attack vulnerabilities were starkly exposed in their narrow first-Test defeat to England at Headingley. Notably, Bumrah single-handedly kept India competitive with a commanding five-wicket haul. This performance sparked a philosophical divide over managing Bumrah's workload versus maximising his impact in the crucial five-Test series.

Legendary Sunil Gavaskar publicly urged Bumrah to play all five matches, recognising his irreplaceable quality. However, head coach Gautam Gambhir reaffirmed the pre-tour plan to restrict Bumrah to only three Tests.

Gautam Gambhir Clears Air On Bumrah's Workload Management

Gambhir emphasised the management strategy and stressed the importance of rest for Jasprit Bumrah, despite Sunil Gavaskar's call to make him play all the matches.

"I think for us to manage Bumrah's workload is more important because there's a lot of cricket going forward and we know that what he brings to the table as well. So before he came on this tour, it was already decided that he's going to play three Test matches, but let's see how his body turns up. But we haven't decided which two other Test matches he's going to play," Gambhir said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

Bumrah himself remained tight-lipped when questioned about Gavaskar's request post-match. His wicketless final innings as England chased 371 highlighted the drop in potency when he isn't taking key scalps.

Gambhir defended the inexperienced attack facing criticism, pointing to their lack of Test exposure compared to past Indian pace batteries. 

Gambhir Defends Bowlers After 1st Test Loss

Gambhir however, stressed the need for patience and backing for the bowling unit after the 1st Test, urging patience.

"We will have to give them time... If we start judging our bowlers after every Test, how will we develop a bowling attack? Outside Bumrah and (Mohammad) Siraj, we don't have that much experience, but they have quality, which is why they are in this dressing room. But we have got to keep backing them because it's not about one tour. It's about building a fast-bowler battery that can serve India for long time in Test cricket," Gambhir concluded.

While the debate will continue to soar regarding Bumrah's workload management, after the 1st Test loss, India will now head for Edgbaston for the 2nd Test against England starting from July 2.