India’s tour of New Zealand begins with a five-match T20I series on October 22. However, with the ODI World Cup scheduled for next year and a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final up for grabs, the bigger focus will be on the ODI and Test series. The ODI series will run from November 4 to 15, while the Test series will begin on November 19 and continue until early December. Overall, it will be a crucial tour. One aspect that has become quite apparent over the last few series is the fragility of India’s bowling attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. The star pacer has been managed carefully, with his appearances limited to specific assignments. Now, sources have confirmed to NDTV that Bumrah is set to miss out on the ODI series against the Kiwis, with the selectors planning to rest him before the start of the Test assignment.
Rumours of Bumrah being rested for the one-day assignment have been doing rounds on the internet for a while. A report in the Times of India suggested the same.
“Bumrah is completely fit, but for a long tour, it’s important to prioritise. The Test series is very important, so there’s no point making Bumrah slog it out in the ODIs and then suddenly shift focus to red-ball cricket,” the report quoted a source as saying.
“The plan is not just for New Zealand, but discussions are also happening for the BGT next year. There is no point wasting Bumrah for inconsequential bilaterals. Right now, the WTC is the focus, and all energies will be directed at planning for that.”
India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson acknowledged that no one can replace a bowler like Jasprit Bumrah as India face a bowling challenge in the ongoing white-ball series against West Indies.
Bumrah was rested for the T20I series against West Indies after participating in the Asian Games, as the BCCI looks to manage the workload of its talismanic fast bowler. In his absence, India’s bowling has been tested on flat pitches in the ongoing series against the Windies.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Samson admitted that there was no replacement for a player like Bumrah, but added that India had talent elsewhere as well.
“There is no replacement for Jasprit Bumrah. He is a once-in-a-generation kind of bowler, and we are very lucky to have him. But we have had some really good talent coming along also; Arshdeep (Singh) has been doing a great job, and also the way Prince Yadav has bowled in the last few games is very impressive. I feel we have some really good talent. The more we play them, the more we back them, the better they will become,” Samson said after the 24-run loss in the fourth T20I at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium
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