Ever since the influence of Gautam Gambhir has taken centre-stage over Indian cricket, the attitude of the team towards its current squad selection looks different. Bowlers are increasingly being picked based on their batting abilities. Of course, picking Harshit Rana and Washington Sundar, the Indian team seems concerned about the aspect of batting prowess. However this strategy has ironically put an almost unbearable load to Jasprit Bumrah who turns out to remain the primary strike bowler. Management of the pace attack before head coach GG Even under the Rohit Sharma-Rahul Dravid regime, and during the Virat Kohli-Ravi Shastri era, India's bowling attack was designed with the singular objective of taking 20 wickets with the least amount of runs conceded. This formation usually consisted of three specialist pacers and one reliable bowling all-rounder, such as Shardul Thakur, with each being given a particular role. Mohammed Siraj was often tasked with exploiting the new ball, while Bumrah operated as the versatile enforcer capable of delivering in any phase of the game. The remaining bowlers, whether it was a Mohammed Shami or a Umesh Yadav, were utilized effectively with the semi-new and old ball. This balance ensured that the workload was distributed evenly across the attack. View this post on Instagram A post shared by CricketGully (@cricketgullyofficial) Also read | Jasprit Bumrah's 200th Test Wicket Sparks Milestone Magic Hectic workload on superstar Bumrah The current team composition under Gambhir’s guidance, however, seems to prioritize batting depth over maintaining a robust bowling attack. While Washington Sundar’s contributions with the bat are commendable, the absence of specialists like Prasidh Krishna or Mukesh Kumar has made the attack overly reliant on Bumrah. This over-reliance becomes particularly evident when one of the pacers is out of form. In such situations, the captain has no choice but to turn to Bumrah, who is then forced to shoulder additional responsibilities. This not only affects his effectiveness in later spells but also risks increasing his workload to unsustainable levels. India’s leadership needs to recognize that Bumrah is the team’s most valuable asset, especially with major tournaments like the Champions Trophy, T20 World Cup, and ODI World Cup scheduled over the next three years. Protecting him should be a top priority. The right way forward Instead of designing a playing XI to compensate for the top order’s vulnerabilities, the focus should shift towards building a bowling attack capable of supporting Bumrah. This means selecting bowlers who can contribute to wicket-taking, even if it means sacrificing some depth in batting. Having bowlers like Prasidh Krishna or Mukesh Kumar in the lineup would not only ease Bumrah’s workload but also make him more lethal in his third and fourth spells. A balanced bowling attack is essential for sustained success, and India cannot afford to let their best bowler bear the brunt of every challenge. Conclusion While Rohit Sharma's captaincy stint may be short-lived, Gautam Gambhir's presence will surely determine the course of Indian cricket in the near future. If he wants to create a legacy, he needs to correct the rising imbalance in team composition. Safeguarding Bumrah and ensuring his long-term survival must be the top priority for India going forward.