&w=3840&q=100)
'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, August 4 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.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
'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 gave a strong opinion on the 'workload management' debate that has been a 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.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
'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.
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 - Edgbaston and The Oval.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Genuinely worried': Chris Woakes reveals Shubman Gill's comment after gutsy effort with injured shoulder, calls draw a 'fair' result
NEW DELHI: England pacer has opened up about the dramatic final day of the fifth Test against India at The Oval, where he walked out to bat despite a serious shoulder injury. In a candid chat with The Guardian, Woakes shared the pain and emotion behind that courageous moment, and revealed how India captain praised him for his bravery. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. Woakes had injured his shoulder while fielding on Day 1 and did not take part in the match afterward, until England were nine wickets down, needing 17 more runs to pull off a historic chase. To the crowd's roaring applause, Woakes emerged from the pavilion with his arm strapped, determined to support Gus Atkinson. Poll Do you think Chris Woakes showed exceptional bravery by batting with a shoulder injury? Yes, absolutely No, it was not wise Maybe, depending on the situation "The first one was the worst. All I had taken was codeine and it was just so sore. Instinct took over here – even with my arm strapped down I tried to run as you naturally do. I genuinely worried my shoulder had popped back out again, hence you saw me throw my helmet off, rip the glove off with my teeth, and check it was OK," Woakes recalled. Ben Stokes press conference: On Mohammed Siraj, Chris Woakes batting with injury, 2-2 result Ultimately, Atkinson was bowled and Woakes never faced a ball. But the crowd stood up, and so did the Indian team in appreciation. After the match, Gill walked over to Woakes. 'Shubman said something like: 'That was incredibly brave.' I told him: 'You've had an unbelievable series, well played, and credit to your team.' Both sets of players had been through the mill in the series and deserve credit for the show we put on. Both teams wanted the win, of course, but it does kind of feel fair that it was drawn,' Woakes added. Woakes said he felt devastated not to get the fairytale finish. 'I'm still gutted, devastated really, that we couldn't get the fairytale. But I never considered not going out there, even if it had been 100 runs still to win. It was nice to have the ovation and some of the Indian players came over to show their respect. But any other player would have done the same. You couldn't just call it off at nine wickets down,' he said.
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Most Wickets For India In A Test Series Played Away From Home
Last Updated: Mohammed Siraj entered his name in the history books on August 4 by equalling the record of taking the most wickets for India in a Test series played in England. Mohammed Siraj entered his name in the history books on Monday (August 4) by equalling Jasprit Bumrah's record of taking the most wickets for India in a Test series played in England. Siraj played all five Tests for India in England and accounted for the dismissal of 23 batters. Siraj's tally of 23 wickets also helped him enter the top 10 list of Indian bowlers who have picked up the most wickets in a Test series played away from home. Here's a look: 1/12 Subhash Gupte dismissed 27 West Indies batters in five matches during India's tour of the West Indies in 1952-53. (Picture Credit: X) In 1967-68, Erapalli Prasanna played four Tests in New Zealand and dismissed 24 Kiwi batters. (Picture Credit: X/@ICC) In the 2003-04 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Anil Kumble picked up 24 wickets in three Test matches in Australia. (Picture Credit: AFP) Kapil Dev played six Test matches in Pakistan in 1982-83 and accounted for the dismissal of 24 batters. (Picture Credit: X/@ICC) Jasprit Bumrah dismissed 23 English batters in five Test matches played during the 2021-22 series in England. (Picture Credit: AFP) In 2006, Anil Kumble played four Test matches in the West Indies and picked up 23 wickets for the Rahul Dravid-led side. (Picture Credit: AFP) Next Photogallery
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
2 hours ago
- First Post
Chennai Grand Masters director reveals surprising reason behind Gukesh and Pragg's absence from tournament: 'We simply didn't get any...'
Chennai Grand Masters tournament director GM Srinath Narayanan revealed the reason why World Champion D. Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa are not featuring at the event, read more The third edition of the Chennai Grand Masters tournament is underway, and much like every Chess tournament, it will feature a heavy Indian battalion. The likes of Arjun Erigaisi, who is a super GM with a current FIDE Ranking of No.5, will enter the tournament along with veteran Vidit Gujrathi. Besides the Indians, other prominent players like Anish Giri and Jorden van Foreest will also be present at the event. However, the competition will remain sans the two national jewels, R Praggnandhaa and the current World Champion of Chess, D Gukesh. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While both Pragg and Gukesh have remained considerably busy over the last few years, they will miss out on the tournament. Not because they are taking some time off, but due to the fact that they have committed to raising the Indian flag somewhere else. Why Guki and Pragg not featuring in Chennai Grand Masters? Tournament Director and Grandmaster Srinath Narayanan addressed their absence and revealed the reason behind them not playing in the event. 'Ideally, we would have loved to have Gukesh and Pragg playing. But this year, we had to clash our event with the Grand Chess Tour because the calendar was insanely full. And we simply didn't get any free dates. But in the future, whenever they are available, we would certainly love to have them. And hopefully, we can schedule it at a time when it doesn't clash with another major event in the future years,' said Srinath. Gukesh, who is enjoying a purple patch in his career, will play at the St Louis Rapid and Blitz from August 10-15, a key leg of the Grand Chess Tour. Meanwhile, Praggnandhaaa has been juggling a packed schedule and hence could not find room to compete in the Chennai event. Despite the scheduling challenges, the Chennai Grand Masters tournament is set to garner much interest from chess fans and will make further strides towards relevancy. 'Over the last two years, we have already seen a tradition where a young talented player goes on to get world-class recognition after winning here. Happened with Gukesh in 2023, happened with Aravindh Chithambaram also… Similarly, we hope to keep unearthing more talents,' Srinath added.
