Gambhir stated that he wanted all fast bowlers to be fresh for the Australia tour.
Gautam Gambhir stated that India will carefully monitor the workload of Jasprit Bumrah and the other fast bowlers after the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. India trails the three-Test series 0-1 and the second match will begin from October 24 onwards.
Gambhir believes that the 10-12 day break between the Test series against New Zealand and the Tests against Australia will be plenty for the fast bowlers to recover. India will play five Tests on Australian soil, including a day-night match at the Adelaide Oval.
Gambhir stated that Bumrah's workload will be taken care of following the second Test against the Black Caps in Pune.
"Once the series is over, we still have around 10 or 12 days before the Test starts in Australia. That is enough break for our fast bowlers as well. But we will still monitor after this Test match where Jasprit Bumrah is.
But it's not only about Jasprit Bumrah. It's about with all the fast bowlers as well. We want to keep them fresh. We know that obviously, we have got a long tour and an important tour of Australia,” Gambhir said in the pre-match press conference.
Following their setback in the first Test, India is under pressure to even the series. Gambhir claimed that the outcome of the Pune Test will influence the workload of the pacers.
"Workload management will definitely depend on what the outcome of this Test match is and how much have they bowled in this match," Gambhir added.
Bumrah has a decent record versus Australia in their backyard. In seven Tests, he has taken 32 wickets at an economy rate of 2.47, with his best figures of 6/33 coming in December 2018 at the MCG.
Earlier this year, Bumrah became the fastest Indian pacer to reach 150 Test wickets and ranked first among bowlers during the series against England.
(PTI inputs)