Jasprit Bumrah Shouldn't Necessarily Play In All The Four Tests Against England: Gautam Gambhir

Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has urged the Indian team-management to judiciously manage pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah’s workload in what is expected to be a busy year for the Men in Blue.

Jasprit Bumrah has endured a majority of the workload in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy thanks to injuries to the likes of Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, and Umesh Yadav. And the rigors of the workload were truly evident when he was clearly down on pace in Australia’s second innings in Sydney.

It later emerged that Bumrah is suffering from an abdominal strain and his participation in the series decider is highly unlikely. India has crucial assignments this year which include a possible Test Championship final, a Test tour of England followed by the T20 World Cup on home soil.

And, Gautam Gambhir feels that Indian should keep Jasprit fresh and ready for the aforementioned assignments, calling for him to be rested for the upcoming home series against England.

“He hasn’t played a Test match at home. I am sure the Indian team management has looked after Jasprit Bumrah reasonably well because they have actually used him in places like England, South Africa and Australia where he is probably even more threatening.” Gautam Gambhir said on Star Sports show ‘Cricket Connected’

Bumrah is yet to play a Test match on home soil and while Gautam Gambhir feels that the champion pacer will be lethal in Indian conditions too, he is of the opinion that with spinners coming into play at home and the duo of Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami set to return, India will be better off resting him for England series.

“I am not saying he will not be threatening in India; he is going to be even more threatening in India where wickets can get low and slow, and he can reverse the ball really well. I still feel if you are playing four Test matches at home, you don’t need to play Jasprit Bumrah in all four matches. Because here your spinners will also get help, and Mohammed Shami would have come back hopefully and Ishant Sharma will be fit.” he added.

Gambhir further added that India can also give Bumrah a break from the white-ball fixtures against England.

“You can also give him a break in T20 cricket and a little bit break in ODI cricket as well. No player wants to take a break, but a bowler like Jasprit Bumrah, whose action is a little different, I am sure only experts can tell where he has the maximum load, whether in the back or somewhere else.” Gambhir said.

“It is very much required to look after him, as the England tour of 5 Test matches is going to be very important and after that the T20 World Cup. So, you will need a fit Jasprit Bumrah.” he added.

Also Read: If Jasprit Bumrah Can Play, He Will Play The Final Test: Vikram Rathour