Jasprit Bumrah in Tests (Source:@mufaddal_vohra,x.com)
As India will play against England in the first Test at Headingley, the spotlight is firmly back on Jasprit Bumrah. Despite a strategic plan by the Indian think tank to manage Bumrah’s workload, former England captain David Gower has issued a blunt warning: 'India cannot afford to rest Bumrah even if he’s not at 100 percent fitness.'
David Gower Urges India To Rely On Bumrah
India are entering a new red-ball chapter under the leadership of Shubman Gill. He takes over Test captaincy duties amid a phase of generational change. While fresh faces dominate the squad, Bumrah remains the backbone of India’s pace attack. His ability to bowl with accuracy is expected to be India’s primary weapon against England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach.
“Jasprit Bumrah is a fantastic bowler—world-class. His fitness is crucial. If I were England, I’d prefer he doesn’t play at all! If India need to manage his workload, they must be strategic—look at pitch conditions, the opposition, and figure out where he can make the most impact. English pitches are usually decent—not overly bowler-friendly—so someone of Bumrah’s quality can be the difference. If he’s even 75–80% fit, I’d still want him in the XI.” Gower told The Times of India.
It is important to mention that Jasprit Bumrah made significant contribution in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year, where he repeatedly rattled Australia’s top order with sharp spells. Although a back spasm forced him out of the final innings of that series, his overall performance showcased his value.
After recovering from injury, Bumrah is being managed cautiously by the Indian selectors. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has already confirmed earlier that the pacer will not feature in all five Tests of the England series. The ace pacer himself admitted in a recent interview that he is unlikely to play every game.
 "Sakshi Sharma")
