'Hello, you are playing for your country': Gavaskar compares workload debate to jawans at border, drops ODI captaincy hint

India’s thrilling six-run win over England at The Oval on Monday, 4 August, helped them level the five-match Test series 2-2. Not many believed India could make a comeback after losing the first Test badly at Headingley, but under Shubman Gill’s captaincy , the team showed great fight and spirit.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar was full of praise for Gill, calling him a strong candidate to lead India across all formats. Speaking after the match, Gavaskar said that the selectors might consider Gill as a future all-format captain, even though Rohit Sharma is currently the ODI skipper.

“Rohit and Kohli are available for ODIs. They haven’t been selected as of yet. Those things will be up to the selection committee. When the ODI series against Australia or the West Indies gets underway, it will be the perfect time to go for the Gill if the selectors want,” Gavaskar said on Sony Sports.

“He is one of the most well-liked players in the team. He is getting those hundreds. If he is not happy with a hundred, he will go for the double hundred. He will then look to get a triple hundred if he is not happy with a double hundred. He got to 269 (at Edgbaston). He was showing that he can’t give up. He just wanted to be there and make sure that every run mattered,” he added.

Gavaskar slams Bumrah?

Meanwhile, Gavaskar also shared a strong opinion on the “workload management” debate that has been a major talking point for the past few months. He appeared to send a message to the Indian team management and took an indirect jibe at Jasprit Bumrah , who missed two Tests in the series, citing workload concerns.

Gavaskar compared the situation to the Indian Army soldiers who guard the country in extreme weather conditions. He even mentioned Rishabh Pant, who came out to bat with a fractured foot during the fourth Test in Manchester, praising his bravery, and lauded Mohammed Siraj for playing all games.

“If you’re going to succumb to people talking about workload, then you’ll never have your best players on the field. You’ve got to get them to a situation where you say, ‘Hello, you are playing for your country, and when you’re playing for your country, you have to forget the aches and pains in your muscles,” Gavaskar told India Today.

“Do you think the jawans complain about the cold or the conditions? They are out there, ready to give their lives for the country. You must give your very best for the nation. Don’t worry about minor aches and pains. What did Rishabh Pant show you? He came out to bat with a fracture. That’s the kind of spirit you want to see from your team,” he added.

“That’s what is expected. Don’t be held back by small injuries. It is an honour, given to you among 140 crore people, to represent India. You are incredibly lucky, and you should not take that lightly. And we’ve seen this attitude in Siraj—five Test matches, bowling non-stop,” he said.

Gavaskar claims he wasn’t criticising Bumrah

Gavaskar clarified in the same interview that his words were not aimed at Bumrah because the Indian pacer’s issue is of injury and not workload. However, Gavaskar’s clarification does look like a formality when Bumrah was the only first-team player who had the option to pick and choose games. It appears as a clear message to all the players, including the senior star.

Bumrah and the Indian team management had already confirmed before the start of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series that the premier pacer would play only three matches. However, fans had hoped Bumrah might play one more match, considering the gaps between games, but he did not. Interestingly, India won both Tests that Bumrah missed - at Edgbaston and The Oval.