India vs England: Sunil Gavaskar comes hard on Gautam Gambhir's workload management agenda
India’s thrilling six-run win in the final Test at The Oval not only ensured they leveled the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2, but also reignited a heated debate within Indian cricket circles—workload management. The narrow victory, secured on a tense final day, came largely due to a sensational bowling performance by Mohammed Siraj, who stepped up in the absence of key players. Following the result, legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar didn’t hold back in voicing his concerns. The former India captain took a pointed dig at head coach Gautam Gambhir, questioning the recurring strategy of resting star pacer Jasprit Bumrah under the pretext of workload management.
Sunil Gavaskar questions the workload management issue in the India vs England Test series
Sunil Gavaskar argued that while managing player fitness is important, relying too heavily on this concept could lead to unnecessary gaps in team performance and chemistry. He emphasized that top players must feature in crucial games, especially when a series is on the line. Gavaskar’s comments have sparked discussion across the cricketing fraternity, with many echoing his concerns about the balance between player rotation and maintaining a winning combination. As India prepares for a busy calendar ahead, the team management may now have to reassess its strategy around rest and rotation of its key players.
India’s premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, was released from the squad ahead of the fifth and final Test, with head coach Gautam Gambhir later stating that the decision was made keeping workload management in mind. However, the move has sparked fresh criticism, especially after Mohammed Siraj, who bowled an exhausting 185.3 overs throughout the series, delivered a match-winning five-wicket haul on the final morning at The Oval. Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar questioned the rationale behind resting key players during such a crucial encounter, pointing out the inconsistency in applying the workload management policy.
Gavaskar argued that if Siraj could carry such a heavy bowling load and still deliver under pressure, there was no clear justification for Bumrah’s absence which is a massive cricket update. The debate around workload management has become a major talking point in modern cricket, and India’s handling of it has once again come under scrutiny after the dramatic series finale.
"There's always the saying that the bowlers win your matches, but the fact of the matter is that you've also got to score the runs. So because India didn't score the runs, they lost those two matches. So yes, I think Siraj bowled his heart out, and he debunked forever this business of workload. I hope that the word 'workload' goes out of the Indian Cricket dictionary.
I've been saying that for a long time. For five Test matches nonstop, he bowled 6-over, 7-over, 8-over spells because the captain wanted it, and the country expected of him. And I think that is the one thing that we all should keep in mind that this workload is only a mental thing, not so much a physical thing," stated former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar.
Sunil Gavaskar took a firm stance on the topic of workload management by drawing a powerful comparison between cricketers and soldiers. Referring to the approach of newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir, Gavaskar suggested that representing the country should come with a sense of pride and responsibility, similar to how soldiers serve the nation without complaints. He emphasized that just as soldiers don't ask for rest while on duty, players too should be prepared to push their limits when wearing the national jersey. Gavaskar's comments have reignited the debate on whether the frequent resting of key players is justified, especially during crucial series that demand the presence of the best talent on the field.
"If you are going to succumb to people who are talking about workload, then you are never going to have your best players on the field. You've got to get them to a situation where you say , 'Hello, you are playing for your country, and when you are playing for your country, you got to forget the aches and pains in your muscles. That is what you mean on the border. Do you think the jawans complain about the cold, or what is the situation? They are there to give their lives for the country. Give your very best for the country. Don't worry about accident pains," Gavaskar added.
