Former Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar has slammed head coach Gautam Gambhir for resting Jasprit Bumrah in two of the five matches in the India vs. England Test series.
Bumrah sat out as part of a workload management plan, which was decided before the team departed for the tour.
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Gavaskar strongly disagreed with the decision to rest India's premier fast bowler in a crucial series. He pointed to Mohammed Siraj’s example, highlighting how the pacer gave it his all despite being the most overworked bowler in the series.
What did Sunil Gavaskar say about Mohammad Siraj's workload?
Bumrah, India's pace spearhead and arguably the best fast bowler in world cricket, has not been rushed to play all matches in a Test series following recurring back injuries.
However, Gavaskar strongly criticized the decision. The Indian legend pointed to Siraj’s relentless efforts, arguing that the pacer had effectively debunked the idea of workload management.
“I think Siraj bowled his heart out,” Gavaskar said. “And he debunked forever this business of workload.”
He went a step further, questioning the very idea of managing workload in modern cricket. “I hope that the word ‘workload’ goes out of the Indian cricket dictionary. I’ve been saying that for a long time.”
Gavaskar praised Siraj’s commitment across the five-Test series, saying the bowler delivered long spells simply because the team needed him to.
“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.”
“This workload is only a mental thing, not so much a physical thing," he added.
Siraj ended the series as the highest wicket-taker with 24 wickets. He was the only pacer in the series who lasted for five games. He bowled about 187 overs in the series and never shied down from any situation. Even on the very last day of the tour, Siraj bowled with the same fire and took India to a historic win.
Why did Gavaskar criticise Gautam Gambhir?
The Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir was the one who declared that Bumrah would feature in just three out of the five Tests to manage his workload. Gavaskar has now sent an indirect message to Gambhir, citing the example of the sacrifices an army man makes at the border, without complaints
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"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...you got to forget the aches and pains in your muscles...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."
Gavaskar further credited Rishabh Pant and Mohammad Siraj, who battled through pain and gave their best for the nation. He also mentioned how big an honor it is for these players to play for the country, representing 140 crores of people, and believed that no one should take it lightly and give their absolute best.
MORE: Does Mohammed Siraj perform better without Jasprit Bumrah in Tests?