Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has emphasized that Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness will be crucial for the Indian team’s success in the upcoming Test series against England. He also stated that the new Test captain, Shubman Gill, must learn to handle Jasprit Bumrah very carefully.

The Indian team management's biggest concern going into the Test series against England, which begins on June 20, will be Jasprit Bumrah's workload. This is especially true after chief selector Ajit Agarkar disclosed that the senior pacer is unlikely to play in all five games due to explicit directives from the BCCI medical staff and physiotherapists.

In an attempt to help India win a Test series in England, former captain Sourav Ganguly provided a "cheat code" on Wednesday that would help them take full advantage of Bumrah. Ganguly expressed his hope that Bumrah will remain healthy throughout the series.

He emphasized that Bumrah must play in the final two games, but added that "so be it" if the management decides to rest him for the second game.

"Hoping Bumrah remains fit for the five Test matches. Even if it means giving him a break after the 2nd Test match, and then getting him back for the 4th and 5th, because a fit Bumrah will be very important," Ganguly said to RevSportz.

Ganguly then advised Gambhir to closely monitor the action and provide the captain with guidance, while also warning incoming Test captain Shubman Gill on how to use Bumrah during the matches.

"Shubman Gill needs to understand not to bowl Bumrah into the ground. Use him as a wicket-taker, use him in short spells, so that he remains fit for five Test matches. And make sure the others [chip in] – young Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, has got tremendous fitness and ability, and is a warhorse. Make sure Bumrah is used as a wicket-taker. He has got to understand that, and I am sure Gautam [Gambhir] is there, and the senior players there, they will guide him," Ganguly added.

England will be the favorites to win the Test series against a new-look Indian team without two legends in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Ganguly reckoned that if Bumrah can remain fit for even four matches, India could claim their first series win in England in over a decade.

"Very inexperienced batting line-up at the moment on paper. Obviously, on the field, it's different. With [Joe] Root, [Harry] Brook, [Ben] Stokes, [Ben] Duckett, Jamie Smith, and Brydon Carse, it's a good Test team. But still, nothing stops India from winning. There is no one favourite in sports. India, if they work hard and Bumrah stays fit even for four tests, will win this series,” Ganguly signed off.  

The five-Test series will begin with the first Test on June 20 in Leeds.