The decision by the Indian cricket team to rest their lead paceman Jasprit Bumrah for the fourth Test against England in Ranchi had cricket enthusiasts and pundits on edge, particularly as the series was still very much in the balance. The choice to sideline Bumrah, who also serves as the team’s vice-captain and was the series’ top wicket-taker at the time, raised eyebrows and concerns in equal measure, especially after India finished the first two days of play with only three wickets in hand and a notable deficit of 134 runs.
However, despite the precarious situation, the Indian squad mounted a remarkable resurgence. Dhruv Jurel took the reins with an impressive batting performance, followed by a pivotal display from the spin department. Together, they orchestrated a turnaround that not only won India the Test but also secured their lead in the series at 3-1, with one game remaining.
India’s triumph in the Test and the series notwithstanding, the move to rest Bumrah has come under scrutiny from none other than former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar. The legendary Indian batter expressed his dismay in a column penned for Mid Day, questioning the rationale behind the decision. “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,” Gavaskar noted. He pointed out that with substantial breaks before and after the third Test, the workload placed upon Bumrah did not seem to warrant rest, particularly for an athlete of his conditioning.
Gavaskar’s concerns were mirrored across the nation, as the fourth Test was not only pivotal because of its place in the series but also because an English victory would have left the final Test as the ultimate decider for the series winner. It was a gamble, one that, according to Gavaskar, might not have squarely aligned with the Indian team’s immediate interests.
Nevertheless, Gavaskar conceded that the risk was one that paid dividends, thanks to Bumrah’s replacement, Akash Deep, who put forth a noteworthy performance on his Test debut. Akash managed to dismantle England’s top-order batting lineup during the first morning of the fourth Test and emerged as a promising talent for India’s Test squad. His ability with the bat, characterized by his competence in handling the ‘long handle,’ marks him as a potentially valuable asset, particularly in overseas conditions.
The series has continued to offer standout performances and cricketing narratives, with players like Meg Lanning leading their teams to formidable positions in league tables, while other teams like Chennai Super Kings grapple with significant player losses ahead of the IPL 2024. The scheduling of the Ranji Trophy has also been brought into question by players such as Shardul Thakur, who has called on the BCCI to reconsider the timing of matches to prevent injury issues.
In the end, as Gavaskar highlighted, it is the emergence of young talent like Akash Deep that showcases the depth of Indian cricket. Regardless of the absence of household names, there is always a fresh crop of players ready and eager to step up to the challenge. According to Gavaskar, the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma’s words resonate with this reality—there are always players hungry to play for India, willing to face any hardship for the honor of representing their country. The fourth Test against England reinforced this message, with a daring decision that, while questioned by a cricketing great, ultimately revealed the strength and resilience of Team India’s bench strength.
