Jasprit Bumrah in crosshairs as Sunil Gavaskar issues notice for ban on ‘workload management’

Legendary India National Cricket Team batsman Sunil Gavaskar has openly demanded that the term 'workload management' be erased from the Indian Cricket dictionary.

Gavaskar is strictly against the idea of managing the workload of the players and lauded the premier pacer Mohammed Siraj for playing five back-to-back Test matches in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025.

Mohammed Siraj shines in Jasprit Bumrah's absence

Mohammed Siraj turned out to be a game-changer for the India National Cricket Team in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 and helped them to draw the series 2-2.

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Extra responsibility fell on Mohammed Siraj's shoulders when it was announced ahead of the series that the pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah would play three out of five matches on the England tour to manage his workload.

Bumrah played in theecLeeds and Lord's Test matches that India lost, and his third and final appearance came in the Manchester Test, which the visitors managed to draw.

India rotated fast bowlers throughout the series, but one man remained present in all the line-ups - Mohammed Siraj. He bowled his heart out for the nation, and even on the 25th day of the series, he was breathing fire.

Siraj got the job done for India with his Player of the Match performance in the Oval Test and overall bowled 1113 balls (185.3 overs), picking 23 wickets.

Also Read: Sunil Gavaskar declares Shubman Gill superior to himself

He debunked forever this business of workload - Sunil Gavaskar

In an interaction on India Today, Sunil Gavaskar lauded Siraj, saying that the pacer debunked the theory of workload and said that it is more of a mental thing.

"There's always the saying that the bowlers win your matches but the fact of the matter is that you've also got to score the runs. So because India didn't score the runs, they lost those two matches. So yes, I think Siraj bowled his heart out and he debunked forever this business of workload.

"I hope that the word ‘workload’ goes out of the Indian Cricket dictionary. I've been saying that for a long time. For five Test matches nonstop, he bowled 6-over, 7-over, 8-over spells because the captain wanted it, and the country expected of him. And I think that is the one thing that we all should keep in mind that this workload is only a mental thing, not so much a physical thing,” he said

Do you think the jawans complain about the cold - Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar further said that workload management shouldn't be given importance by the coaching staff, as if one buys into that narrative, the best players will never take the field.

“If you are going to succumb to people who are talking about workload, then you are never going to have your best players on the field. You've got to get them to a situation where you say , 'Hello, you are playing for your country, and when you are playing for your country, you got to forget the aches and pains in your muscles.

"That is what you mean on the border. Do you think the jawans complain about the cold, or what is the situation? They are there to give their lives for the country. Give your very best for the country.

"Don't worry about accident pains. What did Rishabh Pant show you? He came out bat with a fracture. That is the kind of thing you want to expect from your team. That is the, that's something that you want to expect. Don't go by the little injuries. It is an honor given to you amongst 140 crores of people, so you are so lucky to be able to represent India. And you should not take that lightly. And this what we have seen with Siraj, five Test matches, bowling non stop,” Sunil Gavaskar added.

In the end, Sunil Gavaskar stated that he didn't target Jasprit Bumrah with his remarks because the pace spearhead missed the matches due to his ongoing injury issues.

“Not a problem in home series, but definitely in overseas series, where you're taking a team overseas, and the balance of the team can get affected. At home, you have ample time to call out to reserves, so it's not so much of an issue.

"But going overseas, you have to maybe look at that factor. But Bumrah was an injury issue, not a workload thing. He's had a serious injury. And so therefore I think that also has to be taken into consideration. When he played the two Test matches, he took two fifers. India might not have won, but he took those wickets. So you mustn't forget what a wonderful bowler he is,” Sunil Gavaskar said.

Also Read: Not Jasprit Bumrah! Shubman Gill picks Mohammed Siraj as captain’s dream, brags about himself