India’s senior speedster Jasprit Bumrah is likely to be rested for the eight white ball matches against England as part of the team’s extensive workload management programme.
Bumrah was rested for the second Test at Chepauk, which India won by 317 runs to level the four-match series 1-1. But he will be back in action for the upcoming two high-stakes Test matches in Ahmedabad, which will decide New Zealand’s opposition in the inaugural World Test Championship final.
It is almost certain that the Indian think-tank (head coach Ravi Shastri, skipper Virat Kohli and bowling coach Bharath Arun) along with the trainers and physios would take a final call on resting the pace spearhead, keeping a gruelling season in mind.
“Jassi has already bowled close to 180 overs, including nearly 150 overs (149.4 overs) in four Test matches (till first Test versus England) since the start of Australian tour.
“Add to that, the number of hours spent on the field. It is only logical that after these two Tests in Motera, where he will have a big role to play, he should be given rest for white ball leg,” a senior BCCI official, privy to the developments, told PTI.
The logic behind resting Bumrah for the white ball leg is simple. The five T20Is and three ODIs against England will be the last chance for Indian team management to have a look at all potential players going into this year’s World Cup.
“Bhuvneshwar Kumar might make a comeback and Mohammed Shami after a break will play a few white ball games. Nattu (T Natarajan) and Saini will also come back in the white ball teams. As far as Jassi is concerned, he can well get ready playing 14 to 16 high intensity IPL games for Mumbai Indians,” the source said.
SKY may get his chance
Talented Mumbai batsman Suryakumar Yadav, after successive disappointments of not making the cut for white ball tours of New Zealand and Australia last year, may finally get a look-in as the selectors prepare a core team of 20 players with an eye on the T20 World Cup.
“With KL Rahul being one of the foremost choices with gloves and Rishabh Pant back in form, Suryakumar is likely to get a chance ahead of Sanju Samson,” the source said.