Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah is likely to be rested from the white-ball series against England, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar is in line for a comeback into the side. Bumrah is playing continuous cricket from the IPL last season followed by the Australia tour and the first Test and England. Meanwhile, he missed the fourth Test against Australia with an injury. He was rested in the second Test which India won in Chennai to keep him fresh for the third Test which is a day-night encounter.
Meanwhile, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been facing several injuries in the last two years, which has kept him out of the side. He is undergoing recovery and is likely to be included in the white-ball series against England.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar To Replace Jasprit Bumrah
“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.
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Jasprit Bumrah remains India’s most prominent bowler in all formats and the BCCI is trying to keep him fresh after a full series against Australia recently. He plays all formats for the side and therefore his workload management is key from the BCCI’s perspective.
“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 the 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, was quoted as saying by PTI on condition of anonymity.
Team India have been blessed with a lot of pace bowling options in recent years. The inclusion of T Natarajan has also given them a good left-arm option to get in the mix. He recently made his debut in all formats in Australia with several of India’s bowlers injured.
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Ravichandran Ashwin’s White-Ball Comeback
There are also reports of Ravichandran Ashwin’s possible comeback in the Indian white-ball side after his recent show in the Test format.
“Chahal is a certainty among slow bowlers across two formats but in case Jadeja is not fit in time for the white ball games, it won’t be a bad idea to test Ashwin,” the source explained.
