Bumrah’s workload, Rohit’s fitness in focus
Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management will be debated alongside the match fitness of Rohit Sharma when the national selectors pick India’s squads for next month’s one-off Test and three ODIs against Afghanistan, here on Tuesday.
There is a short turnaround between the IPL and the one-off Test, which begins in Mullanpur (New Chandigarh) from June 6. The IPL final is scheduled on May 31 in Ahmedabad.
The ODI games will take place in Dharamsala, Lucknow and Chennai on June 14, 17 and 20.
It is unlikely that Bumrah would be picked for both formats because there is no immediate rush for him to feature in ODIs. The 50-over World Cup is still a long way off (October-November, 2027).
Rohit had missed a chunk of Mumbai Indians’ matches earlier in the IPL due to a hamstring injury and in the last game against Punjab Kings, he only came out to bat as an impact player. The selectors will include him in the side only if he is fully fit for 100 overs of an ODI game.
Superstar Virat Kohli, who like Rohit is now a one format player, has shown sublime form in the IPL and is expected to feature in all three ODIs against Afghanistan.
The one-off Test holds more significance considering India’s troubles in the traditional format especially at home.
The batters need to find a way to tackle spin-friendly conditions. It is an aspect that has bothered them for a while now and was thoroughly exposed by South Africa in the home series last November.
India have also not been able to find a stable number three since Cheteshwar Pujara left the scene.
Sai Sudharsan got his chances but could not deliver. And now Devdutt Padikkal is expected to be given a decent run from the start of the home season.
