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Gautam Gambhir clarified that India’s plan after Jasprit Bumrah reacted to Sunil Gavaskar’s request
The glaring cracks in the Indian pace unit left the legendary Sunil Gavaskar making a request to Jasprit Bumrah to play all five Test matches against England in the ongoing tour. While the fast bowler maintained the mystery around the possibility, India head coach Gautam Gambhir issued a fresh verdict after the side suffered a five-wicket loss in the opening game in Leeds.
Gavaskar’s words came amid Bumrah picking up a five-wicket haul in the first innings. He single-handedly dictated the terms for India and denied England a lead at home. But while he finished with five for 83 in India’s first bowling innings, the rest of the fast bowlers – Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna – picked up the remaining five for 283 runs.
It was initially planned that Bumrah would play not more than three matches in England to manage his workload and long-standing struggle with back issues, which had troubled him as recently as the tour of Australia earlier this year. The 31-year-old was forced to miss the Champions Trophy due to a back spasm during the Sydney Test.
And even as Bumrah stayed tight-lipped after wife Sanjana Ganesan made him aware of Gavaskar’s request, Gambhir clarified that India’s plan will remain unchanged, although they have yet to ascertain which two other matches he will play.
“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.
“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.”
Bumrah had failed to pick a single wicket in the final innings of the match at Headingley, which allowed England to successfully chase down the large victory target of 371 to win.
Gautam Gambhir also defended India’s bowling attack amid criticism during the five days of the test match.
“This bowling attack has one bowler with five Tests under his belt, one has four, one has played two and one hasn’t yet debuted,” Gambhir said in defence of his bowling group.
“We will have to give them time.
“Earlier, we used to have four fast bowlers in the squad with an experience of more than 40 Tests. It doesn’t make such a big impact in one-day or T20 matches, but when you go to Australia, England or South Africa for Tests, experience matters. These are early days.
“If we start judging our bowlers after every Test, how will be develop a bowling attack? Outside Bumrah and (Mohammad) Siraj, we don’t have that much experience, but they have quality, which is why they are in this dressing room. But we have got to keep backing them because it’s not about one tour. It’s about building a fast-bowler battery that can serve India for long time in Test cricket.”
In the ever-dynamic world of Indian cricket, former opener Gautam Gambhir has once again sparked a major debate, this time by firmly rejecting a public plea from the legendary Sunil Gavaskar. The disagreement revolves around pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, whose recent form and usage have become a topic of national discussion. While Gavaskar advocated for support and appreciation for Bumrah, Gambhir stood his ground, reiterating his critical viewpoint with unwavering confidence.
The incident, which unfolded just ahead of a crucial overseas tour for Team India, has not only ignited a media storm but also divided opinion among fans and cricket analysts. Here’s a deep dive into the full controversy, what Gambhir exactly said, Gavaskar’s emotional request, and the 3 key reasons why Gambhir continues to question Bumrah’s impact.
Jasprit Bumrah, widely regarded as one of the most lethal fast bowlers in modern cricket, has been the center of attention due to his fluctuating form and selective appearances. While he has delivered match-winning spells, his sporadic availability—especially due to injury management—has led to frustrations in the cricketing circle.
In a recent televised debate, Sunil Gavaskar, a stalwart of Indian cricket, issued a heartfelt plea urging critics to “lay off” Bumrah. Gavaskar praised the bowler for his contributions and asked former cricketers to stop “pressuring” players with undue scrutiny.
However, Gambhir’s response was clear-cut and bold.
Gambhir didn’t mince his words while responding to Gavaskar’s suggestion. He said:
“Before Bumrah came on this tour, everyone kept talking about how unplayable he is. But where are the wickets? Where are the breakthroughs when it matters most?”
He further emphasized:
“This is international cricket. Sentiment cannot overshadow accountability. If you are hailed as the best in the world, you must consistently deliver, especially in high-stakes conditions.”
Gambhir’s stance, though unpopular in some circles, raises pertinent questions. He refuses to buy into the aura surrounding players and insists on performance-based evaluations.
In contrast, Gavaskar’s request was filled with admiration and empathy. He noted:
“Bumrah has given his all to Indian cricket. When he bowls, he gives you magic. Let us not dissect every spell. He’s coming back from injury, adjusting conditions, and still bowling with venom.”
Gavaskar stressed that former players should be supporters, not mere critics.
This clash reveals more than a disagreement—it reflects the generational shift in how performance is evaluated. Gavaskar, who played in a less commercialized, more respectful era, often speaks with empathy. Gambhir, a no-nonsense modern-era player, demands results over reputations.
The underlying tension is not personal but philosophical: should cricketers be judged on potential and reputation, or purely on present-day performance?
To understand this debate better, let’s look at Bumrah’s recent statistics across formats:
- Last 5 ODIs: 6 wickets @ 36.50 average
- Last 5 T20Is: 3 wickets @ 42.33 average
- WTC Final 2025: 0 wickets in the second innings
- Asia Cup & IPL 2024: Mixed performance with limited impact in key matches
While Bumrah has bowled economically, the strike rate and match-turning ability have arguably dipped.
Let’s break down why Gautam Gambhir continues to stand by his opinion despite Gavaskar’s plea.
Gambhir’s primary argument is rooted in accountability. He believes:
“No one is above criticism. Whether it’s Virat Kohli or Bumrah. Every player must be evaluated by their current form, not past glory.”
Gambhir believes celebrating mediocrity or brushing away poor spells simply because of a player’s reputation sets a dangerous precedent.
Another strong pillar of Gambhir’s philosophy is team-first thinking. He points out that:
“If a bowler is not taking wickets when the team needs it the most, it affects morale and match outcomes. India needs match-winners now—not just icons.”
He subtly implies that emotional attachment to players can sometimes cost crucial matches, particularly in tournaments like the WTC or World Cup.
Gambhir has often criticized the media for being biased or overly soft towards star players. In this case, he argues:
“If it were any other bowler going wicketless in big games, we’d be tearing him apart. Why the double standard?”
His demand is for fair, equal evaluation across the board, free of favoritism.
As expected, Gambhir’s remarks have set social media ablaze:
- #StandWithGambhir trended on X (formerly Twitter), with fans praising his honesty.
- Others criticized him for “disrespecting” a player like Bumrah.
- A poll conducted by a sports portal showed 58% support Gambhir’s demand for accountability, while 42% sided with Gavaskar’s call for patience.
With India preparing for a vital overseas tour (including the Test series in South Africa and England), the scrutiny around player form will only intensify. Bumrah is expected to lead the pace attack. Whether he regains his rhythm and silences critics—or proves Gambhir right—remains to be seen.
The Indian management too faces a crucial challenge: how to balance empathy with ruthless selection, especially when the margin for error is razor-thin.
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