Team India’s five-wicket defeat in the series opener against England at Headingley has triggered intense debates around player performances and selection strategy. Amid growing curiosity around Jasprit Bumrah’s role in the remainder of the five-match series, head coach Gautam Gambhir has broken his silence, offering insight into the team’s planning without giving away all cards.
Bumrah, India’s spearhead in red-ball cricket, had a rare off-day in Headingley, going wicketless on the final day of the match. With such a high workload and back-to-back fixtures lined up, questions have emerged over whether the fast bowler will be rested at some stage.
Gautam Gambhir reveals how many Tests Jasprit Bumrah is likely to play
Gambhir, while speaking to the media, emphasized the importance of looking at the bigger picture when it comes to managing Bumrah’s involvement. The coach hinted that a blueprint had already been created before the series began, taking into account Bumrah’s past injuries and the demands of the ICC World Test Championship cycle. While Gambhir refrained from confirming exact fixtures, he revealed that Bumrah was expected to play only three of the five Tests in England.
“I think for us to manage Bumrah’s workload is more important because there’s a lot of cricket going forward and we know that what he brings to the table as well,” Gambhir said in the post-match presser.
“So before he came on this tour, it was already decided that he’s going to play three Test matches, but let’s see how his body turns up. But we haven’t decided which two other Test matches he’s going to play,” he added.
Also READ: Fans slam Gautam Gambhir after India’s humiliating loss against England in the Headingley Test
What lies ahead for Team India?
With four high-stakes Tests remaining in the series, the road ahead for India is both challenging and crucial. The focus will now shift to how the team management tweaks the playing XI and balances experience with workload, particularly in the bowling department. Bumrah’s availability will remain a major talking point—not just because of his wicketless outing during the second innings of the first Test, but due to the already planned rotation policy aimed at preserving his fitness for the long run.
India’s bounce-back ability will be tested in the second Test, especially if they are forced to go in without their pace spearhead. The onus could fall on the likes of Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna to step up in Bumrah’s absence. At the same time, India must also reassess their fielding standards, which was below-par at Headingley.
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