Sunil Gavaskar urges Jasprit Bumrah to play all five Tests in Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has advised India’s pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, to play all five Tests in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Gavaskar’s comments came after Bumrah's strong performances in the first two Tests, where he has taken 12 wickets and is the leading wicket-taker in the series. 

Bumrah’s impressive form in 2024 includes 53 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 15.28. He was awarded Player of the Match for his brilliant performance in the first Test in Perth, where India secured a massive 295-run victory. Despite India's loss in the second Test in Adelaide, Bumrah picked up four wickets.

Gavaskar expressed confidence in Bumrah's ability to handle the workload and said there should be no concerns about his fitness as long as he is not injured. Speaking to India Today, Gavaskar said, “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.” 

He added that the shorter duration of the second Test, which lasted just two and a half days, means Bumrah will have adequate rest before the next match. “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’ve been giving 4-over, 5-over spells. That is perfect.”

Gavaskar also stressed that resting Bumrah could hurt India’s chances of taking 20 Australian wickets in a Test match. He referred to Bumrah as India's "battering ram" and said, “If you’re not going to play him in all 5 matches, you reduce your chance of taking 20 Australian wickets.”

With the third Test set to begin at The Gabba in Brisbane on December 14, Bumrah’s continued presence will be key to India’s bowling attack as they look to continue their fierce rivalry with Australia.