"Workload Management For Someone Like...": Gautam Gambhir's Straight Talk. Not Virat Kohli Or Rohit Sharma

23.07.2024 - 11:04 sports.ndtv.com

Gautam Gambhir's much-awaited first press conference as the new India head coach took place on Monday where the former opening batsman laid down his vision for the side.

Amongst the many topics he covered during the presser, he talked about the importance of workload management for the premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah and called him a ‘rare bowler'. "I've said it before, workload management for someone like Jasprit (Bumrah) is important.

He is one rare bowler that anyone would want. You want him to play important games. That's why the workload management for not just him but fast bowlers is important,” Gambhir said in the press conference.

Bumrah has repeatedly proved his worth for the Indian side. The 30-year-old previously spent an extended time on the sidelines and spent most of 2022 going in and out of the Indian team.

cricket India Cricket Team Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Gautam Gambhir Jasprit Bumrah Ireland India

The ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka were quite important from the perspective of the Indian cricket team as they were the first assignments of new head coach Gautam Gambhir. Rahul Dravid's tenure as the head coach came to an end following the T20 World Cup 2024 triumph and Gambhir was announced right away to take over the role. The first team selection for the new head coach came with some new faces but the ODI squad included two experienced names, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. While the tour of Sri Lanka was being seen as an opportunity to try new combinations with young talents, Gambhir insisted on including Kohli and Rohit. Former India fast bowler Ashish Nehra was asked about the decision and he believes that including Rohit-Virat was not the right call.

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Shivam Dube and Arshdeep Singh were dismissed by Charith Asalanka off consecutive deliveries with India just one run away from victory as the first ODI encounter against Sri Lanka ended in a tie on Friday. Chasing a target of 231, India looked all set to clinch the victory with 1 run to win from 15 balls. On the third ball of the 48th over, Dube slammed Asalanka for a boundary and it prompted a huge celebration from Virat Kohli and head coach Gautam Gambhir in the dressing room. However, things quickly changed as Dube was dismissed LBW on the very next ball and India had just one wicket remaining.

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The two stalwarts of Indian cricket Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are back in the team for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. Both of them will be playing an international game after a gap of one month. Virat and Rohit called time on their T20I careers after India's 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, but the duo remain available for the ODI and Test formats. India's first ODI against Sri Lanka will take place at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on August 2.

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The Gautam Gambhir-led Indian team management has an opportunity to decide who among KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant will be India's long-term first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in ODIs when the side takes on Sri Lanka in a three-match series beginning here on Friday. There will be clamour around the first sighting of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as well, after the recent T20 World Cup triumph. But the think-tank will look to shut out that outside noise, focusing on sorting out the combination in a season that has some marquee one-day events including the Champions Trophy.