India's 22-run loss in the third Test at Lord's has not only hurt their chances in the series but also opened up questions about player workload and resting key players.
With the series reading 2-1 in England's favour, the pressure is now on India heading into the fourth Test at Old Trafford.
But one of the biggest talking points is not just tactics; it's whether Jasprit Bumrah, the team's leading pacer, will play. Bumrah played in the first and third Tests so far.
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He had reportedly told the management that he was available for only three of the five matches in the series. His potential unavailability in Manchester could be a big blow to India's chances of levelling the series.
And that hasn't gone down well with former India captain Sunil Gavaskar.
Sunil Gavaskar questions Jasprit Bumrah for resting during IND vs ENG Tests
Gavaskar pulled no punches while speaking on the issue of selective participation. He said that any player who commits to a Test series should be prepared to play the entire stretch, regardless of their status or past performances.
"No superstar player should take a break. You have not come here for a holiday," Gavaskar said on Sony Sports.
His comments reflect a growing frustration with rotation policies, particularly involving Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested during India's Edgbaston win and is likely to miss one of the remaining two Tests.
While it may be necessary to manage the star pacer's workload and avoid the issue of a recurring back injury, the move is not always well-received, especially when the team is desperate for a win.
With a 10-day gap between the third and fourth Tests, Gavaskar also had a clear message for players who haven't had much game time.
Gavaskar also suggested that unused squad members should play County cricket in England during the break to stay ready.
"You should get some cricket. You are playing for India. You are not here for a cruise or something like that," he added.
He also echoed Harsha Bhogle’s call for players like Akash Deep, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Nitish Reddy and Arshdeep Singh to take the field locally, even if it's not in an official Test.