Gautam Gambhir firm on his decision on Jasprit Bumrah's workload management

The Shubman Gill-led team lost to England by five wickets in the first Test match at Headingley, Leeds, after the hosts chased down an enormous 371-run mark, with 350 coming on the fifth day alone. India had to learn that lesson the hard way. Despite a record-breaking five hundreds from Indian batsmen, including two from Rishabh Pant, the team lost. 

However, Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of India, has not changed their strategy regarding the pacer's workload in light of the Leeds outcome. During the post-match news conference, Gambhir made it plain that the plan to only play Jasprit Bumrah in three of the five Test matches will not alter, even if the side lost to England by five wickets in the opening Test of the five-match series.

"[We] haven't decided which two matches Bumrah will play, but he will play a total of three. We need to manage his workload. The scoreline doesn't change that...he will play three Tests only," Gautam Gambhir said after the match. The topic of Bumrah's fitness and how to handle his bowling workload during lengthy series has been discussed heavily. 

Also Read: Why are players wearing black armbands on day five of the Headingley Test?

Shubman Gill backed Gautam Gambhir decision 

Although there were real concerns about India's bowling depth when Bumrah wasn't playing at his best after the first Test loss, Gambhir insisted that a single match outcome did not call for a change in strategy. The plan focuses on long-term preservation rather than immediate response. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill, the captain of India, also supported the decision and expressed his view in the post-match press conference. 

Shubman Gill stated in an interview with Michael Atherton that Bumrah's availability will be reviewed match by match. "It’s definitely a match-by-match decision. There’s a good break before the next Test, so we’ll assess things closer to that game and then decide," Gill said. Whether or not Bumrah is playing at his peak, India's main priority heading into the second Test will be to make sure the bowling attack works as a good unit. The Headingley outcome demonstrated that while individual skill can win sessions, teamwork is necessary to win matches.  

Check Out: Rishabh Pant becomes first Asian and second in world to create unique record following twin hundreds against England