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Sunil Gavaskar said Jasprit Bumrah has to be used strategically and can play all five Border-Gavaskar Trophy matches.
Jasprit Bumrah has been India’s go-to bowler in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (AP)
Jasprit Bumrah has been the star for India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy so far and Sunil Gavaskar feels the Indian pace should play all five matches in the series.
Bumrah was adjudged the Player of The Match in the first at Perth and picked up 4 wickets in the pink-ball day-night match despite India losing in Adelaide.
“I would like him to play all 5 Test matches. You’re playing for India, there is no question about workload and stuff like that. He has to play all 5 Test matches unless he is injured. This match finished in 2 and a half days. This hasn’t gone for 5 days. So the man gets 5 days of break. If he has a problem or an injury, then yes. But if he doesn’t have an injury. You have been giving 4-over, 5-over spells. That is perfect. That’s the way to go, unless you have taken a wicket or two. If you take a wicket in your 5th over, give him a 6th one,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying by India Today.
Bumrah showed signs of discomfort while bowling the 81st over of Australia’s innings in the second Test. He was attended to by the team’s physio but resumed bowling immediately, completing his over and delivering three more overs later in the session. He appeared fit and bowled an over in Australia’s second innings on Sunday.
Gavaskar called Bumrah India’s ‘battering ram’ who has to be used strategically.
“He is your battering ram. If you’re not going to play him in all 5 matches, you reduce your chance of taking 20 Australian wickets. How he is used is up to the captain. He has to be used in such a way that he is effective each time he comes to bowl,” Gavaskar added.
Rohit Sharma too urged other bowlers to share the load with India’s premier fast bowler.
“We are not just playing with one bowler. There are other bowlers also who will have to take responsibility and get the job done for the team, be it (Mohammed) Siraj, Harshit Rana, Nitish Reddy, Akash Deep or Prasidh (Krishna),” skipper Rohit had a loud and clear message for his bowling unit.
