Before the start of the Third Test, India suffered a significant blow. Bowling leader Jasprit Bumrah will miss the third Test between India and New Zealand in Mumbai as he rests ahead of the high-octane Sarhad-Gavaskar Trophy starting at the end of November.
With Bumrah not there, the Indian bowling attack will now have some serious work to do. Mohammad Siraj, who missed the second Test, is likely to return for the Mumbai Test.
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Jasprit Bumrah is set to miss India’s 3rd Test against New Zealand
According to Indian Express , the Indian team management wants Jasprit Bumrah to be fresh and firing on all cylinders in the five-match Test series against Australia, which is the main reason for his rest.
The management had earlier wanted to rest Bumrah for the Pune Test but had to play due to India’s defeat in the first Test in Bengaluru. But now there is no other option. The team management decided to rest its valuable player.
The Indian team will leave for Australia on November 10. The rest will give him adequate time to recover from minor niggles and make a comeback in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The source also confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah has already returned to his home and will join the Indian team only when the team goes on a lower tour.
Bumrah took part in the mandatory practice session with the Indian team on Wednesday afternoon but did not enter the net, instead focusing on his drills and other stretching activities.
When Gambhir was asked about Bumrah’s fitness status, he said that the fast bowler is conserving his energy given the humid conditions in Mumbai and he knows how to prepare for a Test match like a senior player.
“I think he (Jasprit Bumrah) has just done his preparations, I think we know what the weather is like in Mumbai, so obviously he needs to conserve his energy. So he bowled, he prepared really well and he was good. That’s why he is an old player, he knows how much he has to prepare for the Test match.” Gambhir said.
Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management
Bumrah has played all the games of India’s home Test season so far, including two Tests against Bangladesh and two Tests against New Zealand so far. The 30-year-old fast bowler has already bowled 41 overs in the first two Tests against New Zealand.
Managing his workload becomes a priority as he is India’s best player across formats. A fit and strong Jasprit Bumrah is needed for the Sarhad-Gavaskar trophy if India aim to complete their hat-trick of Test series victories in Australia.
Bowlers who can replace Jasprit Bumrah
Mohammed Siraj may return for the third Test in Mumbai after being ruled out of the Pune Test. Siraj has not enjoyed a run of great form in Test cricket recently but could be the main fast bowler in Bumrah’s absence.
Apart from Siraj, Harshit Rana could also potentially make his Test debut. Rana was included in the squad after the conclusion of the second Test and could make his international debut before turning up for Australia with the squad.
