Gambhir reveals Bumrah plan for remaining England Tests
An update from the India camp on the ongoing workload plan for star quick Jasprit Bumrah.
India coach Gautam Gambhir has revealed there are no plans to change the workload of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah across the remainder of the ongoing Test series against England.
It was initially planned that Bumrah would only play three of the five Tests during this ICC World Test Championship series as he manages his back issue and India's narrow five-wicket loss to England in the series opener has done nothing to change this, according to Gambhir.
"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."
With Bumrah going without a wicket, England managed to successfully chase down the large victory target of 371 to win the crucial opening Test in Headingley on Tuesday on the back of a superb century from opener Ben Duckett.
Seamers Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur collected a pair of wickets each in England's chase, with the more experienced trio of Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja and Bumrah all struggling to make much of an impact as the hosts drew first blood in the series.
"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."
England captain Ben Stokes was thrilled with the performance by his side during the opening Test, with the skipper paying special tribute to Zak Crawley and Duckett for their opening partnership of 188 on the final day that helped setup the win.
"It was unbelievable," Stokes said post-match.
"Unless you're involved in it, (it's hard to understand) the pressure of the fourth innings, going out there. Opening the batting is hard enough, especially in England. So that partnership that Zak and Ben got us off to was just incredible.
"Those two complement each other so well. Obviously, Ducky got the big score that contributed towards us winning this game. But I thought the way that Zak was able to stay composed, and stay in the moment, and sense that Ducky was getting off to the flyer (was crucial)."
The second Test between England and India commences in Birmingham on July 2.
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