‘You’re playing for India, there is no question about workload’ – Sunil Gavaskar wants Jasprit Bumrah to play all five Tests

‘You’re playing for India, there is no question about workload’ – Sunil Gavaskar wants Jasprit Bumrah to play all five Tests (Photo Source: Twitter)

Sunil Gavaskar opined that Jasprit Bumrah should play all the remaining three Tests in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25). India’s pace spearhead is the leading wicket-taker in the five-match series, as he has scalped 12 wickets from two matches at an average of 11.25.

Bumrah has been in fine form this year, having bagged 53 wickets in 11 matches at 15.28. He won the Player of the Match award in the first Test in Perth as India won by 295 runs. The 31-year-old also picked up four wickets in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide even though the Asian giants lost by 10 wickets.

There was a slight scare about his fitness during the Adelaide Test when Bumrah had gone down with a bout of cramps. In the absence of Mohammed Shami, the Indian team is relying heavily on Bumrah’s exploits in the high-voltage series. The legendary Sunil Gavaskar said that workload shouldn’t be a question for the senior fast bowler when he is playing for the national team.

“I would like him to play all 5 Test matches. You’re playing for India, there is no question about workload and stuff like that. He has to play all 5 Test matches unless he is injured. This match finished in 2 and a half days. This hasn’t gone for 5 days. So the man gets 5 days of break. If he has a problem or an injury, then yes. But if he doesn’t have an injury. You have been giving 4-over, 5-over spells. That is perfect. That’s the way to go, unless you have taken a wicket or two. If you take a wicket in your 5th over, give him a 6th one,” Gavaskar told India Today.

Also Read: ‘I don’t think they saw a lot of merit’- Jasprit Bumrah opens up on criticism about his bowling action

Sunil Gavaskar believes resting Bumrah will reduce chances of picking 20 Australian wickets

Besides, Sunil Gavaskar also called Jasprit Bumrah India’s “battering ram” and said that the team’s chances of picking 20 Australian wickets in a Test match would reduce considerably if he was rested. Notably, India and Australia will continue their fierce rivalry when they face each other in the third Test at the iconic Gabba in Brisbane, starting on Saturday, December 14.

“He is your battering ram. If you’re not going to play him in all 5 matches, you reduce your chance of taking 20 Australian wickets. How he is used is up to the captain. He has to be used in such a way that he is effective each time he comes to bowl,” Gavaskar concluded.

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