Jasprit Bumrah will be rested for the upcoming India vs Bangladesh Tests. The 2-match series, which starts on September 19, will serve as preparation for the Border Gavaskar Trophy. To win a third consecutive Test series in Australia, the management and selectors want Bumrah to be at his absolute best and feel that there isn’t much need for him to play against Bangladesh at home.
No Jasprit Bumrah before New Zealand series
The pacer, who’s had his fair share of injuries, won’t be playing in the upcoming Duleep Trophy either. His Test bowling partners Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja will feature in the domestic tournament, but the BCCI feels that Bumrah should be left alone until the New Zealand Test series, which will be the perfect warm-up for the unorthodox pacer before India travels to Australia.
“In case of Bumrah, he knows his body the best and it will be up to him if he wants to play in the Tests against Bangladesh. The team management and selectors are very clear that India needs a 120 per cent fit Jasprit Bumrah for all five Tests against Australia Down Under. Before that, there is New Zealand in India, where he will probably play and get ready for the sterner tests,” a BCCI source told PTI.
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Arshdeep Singh vs Khaleel Ahmed for IND vs BAN Tests
In Bumrah’s absence, Gautam Gambhir-Rohit Sharma and the selectors want to bring some variety into the lineup. They feel the Indian Test team lacks a left-arm pacer, and one of Arshdeep Singh or Khaleel Ahmed could very well earn themselves a maiden call-up.
Arshdeep’s name has been propped up before, with a previous report suggesting that he could very well be taken to Australia. India’s last head coach, Rahul Dravid, wanted the pacer from Punjab in the Test side and even sent him to play for Kent in County Cricket. It’s unsure whether Gautam Gambhir has the same plans.
Khaleel made his India comeback after five years in Zimbabwe last month, but he still remains an erratic bowler. He wasn’t that great in Zimbabwe or in the solitary T20I he played in Sri Lanka, and Arshdeep could be preferred over him simply on the basis of having more international experience. Another name coming up is Yash Dayal. The pacer impressed in the IPL 2024 season and will play in the Duleep Trophy as well, but he remains behind both in the pecking order right now.
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