"Nobody is indispensable": Sunil Gavaskar’s shocking warning puts Jasprit Bumrah’s India spot in danger

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has raised concerns over Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. Gavaskar urged the BCCI and chief selector Ajit Agarkar to make clear decisions regarding the pacer’s workload, adding that no player is indispensable.

Jasprit Bumrah played three of the five Tests during the England series as part of a pre-decided plan. He featured in the first, third, and fourth matches and took 14 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls. The decision over his workload management attracted criticism despite being planned in advance.

Bumrah had fitness concerns during the earlier Australia tour. He suffered a back injury that prevented him from bowling in the final innings of the Sydney Test. The 31-year-old bowler finished as the leading wicket-taker of that series with 32 dismissals.

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Nobody Is Indispensable - Sunil Gavaskar on Jasprit Bumrah’s Workload Management

Sunil Gavaskar said that Jasprit Bumrah had informed the selection committee he could play in only three of the five England Tests. He added that there was debate over whether Bumrah should have featured in the crucial final Test at the Oval, given the pitch’s heavy grass.

"Nobody is indispensable. That’s why it is of prime importance for the selectors to now decide when Jasprit Bumrah should be playing. There's already been a lot of debate about his appearances in the recently concluded series in England," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-day.

"To be fair, he had informed the selection committee that he could play only three Tests out of the five. The debate that has generated some heat is whether he should have played the last must-win Test match, especially since it was the grassiest pitch at the Oval in a long time," he added.

There Were Two Clear Months for Jasprit Bumrah to Rest and Recover - Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar said that Bumrah has two months to rest and recover ahead of the next Test in October. He added that the team management prioritized the bowler’s long-term fitness over the immediate interests of Indian cricket.

"The next Test match was in early October, and so there were two clear months for him to rest and recover in time for that. The Indian team management stated that he wasn't picked considering his future. This is where the lines between what is good for the individual and what is good for Indian cricket got a little blurred," Gavaskar opined.

For Indian Cricket’s Sake, Jasprit Bumrah Had to Play - Sunil Gavaskar

Gavaskar emphasized that Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness should be prioritized for the sake of Indian cricket. He also pointed out that no player is indispensable and the game moves on.

"Surely at that stage if he was fit, then for Indian cricket's sake, he had to play. Whether then it was his call or the management’s call not to play is not known, but in the end after India’s win it showed once again if ever there was need to know that nobody is indispensable in the game. The game just moves on."

Bumrah has not featured in a white-ball match for India since the T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa, where he took 2 wickets for 18 runs in four overs. India secured their second T20 World Cup title.

The 31-year-old missed the Champions Trophy earlier this year due to a back injury but made a comeback during IPL 2025. He is expected to be seen next in action in the Asia Cup 2025.

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