New Delhi: Gautam Gambhir, long critical of the mega-star culture in Indian cricket, has found fresh impetus in Mohammed Siraj’s outstanding performance during the English summer. The 2-2 Test series draw in England has strengthened Gambhir’s and chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s resolve to instil a culture of equality in the team, where no individual is above the game.
The BCCI, including the selection committee and team management, is reportedly united in its stance against players selectively participating in matches under the guise of workload management.
“A clear message will be sent to centrally contracted players, especially all-format regulars, that this culture of picking and choosing games won’t be tolerated,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on condition of anonymity. “Workload management won’t be discarded, but decisions will now be more objective. Fast bowlers’ workloads still need monitoring, but skipping crucial matches can’t be justified.”
Siraj, who bowled 185.3 overs across five Tests while also fielding extensively and training in nets, has become the benchmark for peak fitness and commitment. His efforts, along with those of Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep, reinforced the belief that no star is indispensable.
Even England captain Ben Stokes, despite injury concerns, bowled long spells, sparking debate about whether workload management is being overused for convenience.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar was scathing in his criticism of the concept. “When you’re playing for your country, forget the aches. On the border, jawans don’t complain about the cold. Rishabh Pant batted with a fracture — that’s the spirit we saw in Siraj,” Gavaskar said. “He bowled his heart out, non-stop for five Tests. The word ‘workload’ should be removed from Indian cricket’s vocabulary. It’s more mental than physical.”
There’s also quiet dissatisfaction within the BCCI regarding Jasprit Bumrah’s inability to play all five Tests, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the Sports Science team at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Bumrah, currently resting, is expected to return for the Asia Cup T20 in the UAE (September 9–28). However, if India progresses deep into the tournament, he may skip the West Indies Test series starting October 2, but is likely to feature in the two Tests against South Africa in November.
With Nitin Patel’s departure and a new head of Sports Science soon to be appointed, there is optimism that fast bowlers will be encouraged to play more, rather than being overly protected.
