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Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has suggested that India should consider resting Jasprit Bumrah for their upcoming match against Bangladesh in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023. India is scheduled to face Bangladesh at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on October 19, followed by a game against New Zealand in Dharamsala. The difference in weather conditions between the two venues has led Gavaskar to propose a possible change in the team's composition.
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In an exclusive interview with India Today, Gavaskar recommended that Mohammed Shami could replace Jasprit Bumrah for the match against Bangladesh. This adjustment, according to Gavaskar, would allow India to make a moderate change in their lineup.
"I think Shami is someone who they have to bring into the team, because the next match in Dharamsala, in conditions which will assist a fast bowler. You need Jasprit Bumrah to be 100 percent there. Also, there is a just a couple of days gap between the game against Bangladesh in Pune and New Zealand in Dharamsala. There is going to be a change in weather also. Ideally, I think Jasprit Bumrah be given a bit of break and then maybe Shami comes in," Gavaskar said on India Today.
Gavaskar clarified that there was no compelling reason to replace Shardul Thakur with another bowler since Thakur has a defined role within the team. Instead, Gavaskar proposed that resting Bumrah for the Bangladesh game could help keep him fresh for the remainder of the tournament.
"You really are not losing anything with Shami coming back in the team. Siraj had a bit of a breather against the Australians in the 3-match series before the World Cup. Shami coming in against Bangladesh is something that the think tank might think of," Gavaskar concluded.
This decision to potentially rest Bumrah, one of India's premier fast bowlers, could be influenced by the varying conditions in Pune and Dharamsala, where the team's next match is scheduled. Gavaskar's recommendation reflects the strategic thinking involved in managing a squad during a high-stakes tournament like the ICC World Cup.
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