India’s decision to leave Jasprit Bumrah out of the playing XI for the second Test against England at Edgbaston has triggered a debate.
Despite trailing 0-1 in the five-match series and a week off from action, Bumrah was rested as part of the workload management. However, the move has put the team management under scanner.
The plan was always going to make Bumrah play three Tests and head coach Gautam Gambhir had said that it won't be altered despite the loss in the series opener at Headingley.
Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has also joined the bandwagon of critics, questioning the Indian think tank for resting Bumrah in the second Test, which is important in the context of the series.
Speaking on Sony Sports Network, Gavaskar drew attention to how previous generations managed their fitness and match readiness, even without modern-day support systems. He mentioned the great Kapil Dev as a prime example of relentless preparation and durability.
“How did they play? I think their training was a little bit different. Kapil (Dev) was hardly ever in the gym. He was running around, running around and then he was bowling to about five or six batters in the nets. Then he would come in again and bat himself and bowl to a couple more,” Gavaskar said.
“So basically he was doing what his profession required. What his expertise required which is bowl, bowl and bowl. So his bowling muscles and the whole body was used to bowling. He was a brilliant athlete. I think he could have been a champion in any sport. He did what his profession required. It was to play cricket, practise cricket,” he further added.
Ever since Bumrah sustained a back spasm in the Sydney Test against Australia, the Indian team management has been extra careful about managing his workload.
As a result of that injury, the right-arm quick missed the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the initial few matches of the IPL 2025 season for Mumbai Indians.
Ahead of the England tour, Bumrah revealed that he himself requested the BCCI not to consider him for Test captaincy after Rohit Sharma's retirement, as he would not be able to play all five Tests due to workload management.
