Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar expressed his desire to see pacer Jasprit Bumrah participate in all remaining Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Bumrah, who recently celebrated his 31st birthday, has already featured in the first two Tests held in Perth and Adelaide, raising concerns about his workload. He has been a key player for Team India, claiming 12 wickets in these matches, including a five-wicket haul in Perth.

During the second day of the Adelaide Test, which India ultimately lost by ten wickets, Bumrah experienced a moment of concern when he was seen gripping his abductor muscle. However, he quickly resumed bowling shortly thereafter.

The decision regarding Bumrah's participation in the remaining Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy remains uncertain. Gavaskar emphasized the importance of Bumrah's presence in the upcoming matches, citing him as the top-performing bowler for India.

"I would prefer him to play all five Test matches. Representing India means there should be no hesitation regarding workload management. He must participate in all five Tests unless he is injured. This match concluded in two and a half days, not extending to the full five days," Gavaskar stated in an interview with India Today.

"Thus, he has a five-day break. If he is facing an injury, that is a different matter, but if he is fit, then managing him with 4-5 over spells is ideal. He is a crucial asset; if he does not play in all five Tests, it diminishes the chances of taking all 20 wickets. His usage will ultimately depend on the captain," he further elaborated.

Rohit Sharma asks other bowlers to put their hands up

Following the defeat in Adelaide, Indian captain Rohit Sharma emphasized that Jasprit Bumrah cannot consistently bear the entire burden of the bowling attack, urging his teammates to rise to the occasion and perform.

During the second Test in Adelaide, the pressure on the Australian batsmen diminished significantly once Bumrah was removed from the bowling lineup. Bowlers such as Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana struggled to replicate Bumrah's precision in line and length.

"It is indeed a privilege to have a bowler of Bumrah's calibre, but he cannot be expected to carry the load alone at all times," Rohit stated during the post-match press conference.

"We witnessed how Mohammed Siraj, alongside Bumrah, was able to take four wickets, demonstrating that the responsibility must be shared. This is what we anticipate moving forward. There will be instances when Bumrah may not take wickets, and it is essential for the other bowlers to step up," he continued.

Regarding Bumrah's workload, Rohit remarked, "I frequently communicate with him during his bowling spells to inquire about his physical condition. Given that this is a five-Test series, we must keep Bumrah fit and available for all matches. We must carefully assess these factors, as managing workload is vital. Our medical team, including doctors, physiotherapists, and trainers, regularly monitors the stamina of each bowler. We continuously discuss these matters."

"We are not relying solely on one bowler; others must also assume responsibility. Whether it is Siraj, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, or Nitish Reddy, these players are relatively new to the team. It is important to instil confidence in them. When they participate in a match, they need to feel assured, and it is my responsibility to provide that support," he concluded.

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