India’s tour of New Zealand will begin 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 at stake, the focus will largely be on the subsequent ODI and Test assignments. The ODI series will be played from November 4 to 15, followed by the Test series, which begins on November 19 and runs into early December.
The tour will be crucial for India, particularly with their bowling attack coming under scrutiny in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. The star fast bowler has been carefully managed by the team management, with his appearances limited to select assignments to ensure he remains fit for major tournaments and important Test series.
Sources have now confirmed to NDTV that Bumrah is likely to miss the ODI series against New Zealand, with the selectors planning to rest him ahead of the Test assignment.
Speculation about Bumrah being rested for the one-day series has been circulating online for some time. A report in The Times of India also suggested that the pacer could sit out the ODIs to focus on the longer format.
“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’s bowling concerns in Bumrah’s absence were also highlighted by wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson during the ongoing white-ball series against the West Indies. Bumrah was rested for the T20I series after participating in the Asian Games, as the BCCI continues to manage the workload of its premier fast bowler.
With India’s bowlers facing a challenge on flat pitches in the series, Samson acknowledged that replacing a bowler of Bumrah’s quality would be difficult. However, he expressed confidence in the talent available in the squad and stressed the importance of backing young bowlers.
“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 India’s 24-run defeat in the fourth T20I at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
While Bumrah’s absence would be a setback for India’s ODI plans, the decision to rest him could be aimed at ensuring that he is available for the more demanding Test series. With the WTC final in contention, managing the workload of their premier fast bowler will remain a key priority for the Indian team management.
