In a critical evaluation of India’s decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah during the Ranchi Test against England, former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar raised concerns about the call. Gavaskar questioned the rationale behind resting Bumrah, emphasizing that the pacer had bowled only 24 overs in the previous Test in Rajkot, which, according to him, should not have led to excessive fatigue.

In his column for The Mid Day, Sunil Gavaskar pointed out that Bumrah bowled 15 overs in the first innings and eight overs in the second innings of the third Test in Rajkot. He highlighted that the nine-day break between the second and third Tests provided ample recovery time. Therefore, resting Bumrah, who only bowled 23 overs in the entire game, seemed unnecessary, especially considering the upcoming eight-day break before the final Test.

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“Despite bowling just 15 overs in the first innings and then eight overs in the second innings of the third Test at Rajkot, Bumrah was rested for Ranchi presumably on the trainer’s recommendation,” Sunil Gavaskar wrote.

“Don’t forget there was a nine-day break between the second Test and third Test match, and then bowling 23 overs in the entire game is not tiring at all, so why was Bumrah rested? After the fourth Test, there was going to be another eight-day break before the final Test match; enough time for supremely fit athletes to recover and be ready to play for the country,” Sunil Gavaskar continued.

Gavaskar highlighted the significance of the Ranchi Test, as a defeat for India could have allowed England to level the series. Despite Bumrah’s absence, Gavaskar commended Akash Deep, who made his Test debut and picked up three wickets in the first innings, underscoring the depth of talent in the Indian squad.

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“The fourth Test also was a crucial game as if England had won that, the final Test would have been the decider. So, whether it was the NCA or Bumrah who took the call, it wasn’t in the Indian team’s immediate interest,” Sunil Gavaskar concluded.