This video can not be played 'I couldn't be more proud of the team' - Gill on England defeat India will not change their plan to play star bowler Jasprit Bumrah in only three of the five Tests against England this summer, despite defeat in the series opener, says coach Gautam Gambhir. Bumrah was India's standout bowler at Headingley - he took 5-83 in the first innings - but could not prevent England chasing 371 in aimpressive five-wicket winon day five. India decided before the series Bumrah would only play in three Tests to manage his workload after four months out with a back injury earlier this year. "We won't change it," said Gambhir. "For us to manage his workload is more important. There is a lot of cricket going forward." Gambhir said it has not been decided which other two Tests Bumrah, the number one bowler in the world rankings and a key player across formats, will play during the series. There are seven days before the second Test begins on 2 July in Edgbaston but only three days off between the scheduled conclusion of that match and the start of the third Test at Lord's. There is another eight-day break between the third and fourth matches but again only three before the series finale at The Oval. "Let's see how his body turns up," added Gambhir. "We haven't decided which two other matches he is going play." Playing his first red-ball match since he was unable to bowl in the second innings of the fifth Test against Australia in January because of his back, Bumrah did not take a wicket in his 19 overs as England completed a pursuit of 371 on day five but still looked a class above his team-mates. Mohammed Siraj, India's second most senior seamer, took 2-173 across both innings, Prasidh Krishna's five wickets cost 6.3 runs per over and Shardul Thakur, who was picked to add batting depth at number eight but was out for one and four, returned figures of 2-89 in 16 overs. Gambhir defended his pace bowlers, however, and pointed to Krishna's dismissals of Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope and Thakur's wickets - Ben Duckett caught at cover and Harry Brook strangled down the leg side. "Prasidh bowled really well and got us crucial wickets," said Gambhir. "We picked him because we thought he had something different, he had that bounce and in the first innings he used that bounce really well. "Shardul was used a little less. We thought Ravindra Jadeja would bring us control. "I am not going to sit here and say they didn't bowl well. "Shardul got us two wickets that got us back in the game. We have just got to be more consistent. That is what is more important. These boys will learn." This video can not be played 'Bazball with brains' - England chase down 371 to win first Test against India
India won't change plan to rest Bumrah - Gambhir
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"India to Maintain Jasprit Bumrah's Limited Participation in Test Series Against England"
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TruthLens AI Summary
India's cricket coach, Gautam Gambhir, has reiterated the team's commitment to managing the workload of star bowler Jasprit Bumrah, confirming that he will only participate in three out of the five Tests against England this summer. This decision comes despite India's recent defeat in the first Test at Headingley, where Bumrah showcased his skills by taking 5 wickets for 83 runs in the first innings. However, his efforts were not enough to prevent England from successfully chasing down a target of 371 runs, ultimately winning the match by five wickets. Gambhir emphasized that maintaining Bumrah's fitness is crucial for the team's performance in the long term, especially after the bowler's earlier struggles with a back injury that sidelined him for four months. The coach stated, "We won't change it," highlighting the importance of managing Bumrah's workload amid a busy cricket calendar ahead.
As the series progresses, Gambhir noted that the specific Tests Bumrah will play have yet to be determined, with the second Test scheduled to start on July 2 at Edgbaston. There are logistical challenges ahead, with only three days between the conclusion of the second Test and the start of the third Test at Lord's. Despite Bumrah's impressive bowling, he could not secure a wicket in his 19 overs during the first Test, indicating that he is still finding his footing after his injury layoff. Other bowlers, such as Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, faced criticism for their performances, but Gambhir defended their efforts, stating that consistency is key and that each bowler has the potential to learn and improve from this experience. He acknowledged the need for the team to adapt and perform better as they continue in the series against England.
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