Gautam Gambhir in firing line for handling of Jasprit Bumrah for England Tests: 'Why was it not kept a secret?'

By Admin

27 Jun, 2025

India’s newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir is facing criticism over his handling of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah during the ongoing five-Test series against England. With the Indian team trailing 0-1 after a disappointing loss in Leeds, former players and fans alike are questioning the team management’s decision to openly announce Bumrah’s limited participation in the series due to workload management.

Open Strategy Backfires?

Before a ball was bowled in the series, it was publicly disclosed that Jasprit Bumrah would feature in only three of the five Tests. While the rationale behind the decision was clear managing the 31-year-old’s fitness and longevity many feel that broadcasting such a sensitive strategy gave England a psychological advantage.

The issue came to a head after the Headingley Test, where Bumrah produced a magical spell in the first innings, taking five wickets and helping India secure a slender lead. However, he went wicketless in the second innings as England chased down 371 runs, putting the hosts 1-0 ahead in the series.

Following the defeat, Gautam Gambhir confirmed that there would be no changes to Bumrah’s schedule he would play just three Tests as planned. This rigid stance and the earlier transparency have now drawn flak from cricket analysts.

Aakash Chopra Questions ‘Lack of Secrecy’

Former India opener Aakash Chopra voiced his concerns, questioning why the team management felt the need to reveal Bumrah’s participation plan so early.

“Bumrah said he will play three matches only, and I am thinking whether it was required to publicise it. Why was it not kept a secret? We don't announce our team as well,” Chopra commented on his YouTube channel.

Chopra further explained that keeping England guessing could have disrupted their planning, especially when considering Bumrah is India’s spearhead in the bowling department. “Suddenly, the opposition gets into a great frame of mind that Bumrah, your biggest strength, is also not there. You can prepare pitches accordingly,” he added.

Bumrah Likely to Miss Second Test

As per a report by The Indian Express, Jasprit Bumrah is expected to skip the second Test at Edgbaston, in line with the workload management strategy. The ace pacer is anticipated to return for the third Test at Lord’s.

This raises concerns for the Indian side, particularly with the current form of Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, who failed to make a significant impact in the first Test. A potential 0-2 deficit looms, making the second Test crucial in India’s campaign.

Need for a New Fast-Bowling Core

Chopra also stressed the need for India to build a strong bench of fast bowlers. With uncertainty surrounding the future availability of both Bumrah and veteran pacer Mohammed Shami, the team could find itself in a precarious position.

“The next generation of Indian fast bowlers will have to be prepared. It's a serious issue,” Chopra said. “Mohammed Shami, I think that story is not over, but it is close to an ending. Mohammed Siraj is good, but he hasn’t reached the rank of Bumrah or Shami.”

He reminisced about the impactful spells of Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar at Lord’s, emphasizing the importance of having dependable fast bowlers to succeed in overseas conditions.

Conclusion

As the debate continues, Gambhir’s approach to transparency and workload management is under the microscope. While preserving a player’s fitness is undeniably important, the decision to reveal critical strategy elements to the opposition may have unintended consequences. With the series still open, India will need to bounce back quickly and perhaps with a bit more discretion in their tactical communication.