Reports: Jasprit Bumrah likely to be rested from England ODI and T20I series

Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah is likely to be rested from India’s upcoming ODI and T20I series against England, starting Friday, March 12. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is planning to give Bumrah rest as a part of the fast bowler’s workload management. The board reckons that the pacer needs rest after the tour of Australia and playing the opening Test against England.

Bumrah played the first Test in Chennai before being rested from the second Test at the same venue. The Indian board is yet to announce the national squad for the last two Tests at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad. But going by sources, the 27-year-old is likely to be included in the squad before being rested from the limited-overs leg of the tour.

Jasprit Bumrah will have a big role to play in Motera: BCCI official

“Jassi has already bowled close to 180 overs, including nearly 150 overs (149.4 overs) in four Test matches (till the 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, on the condition of anonymity, was quoted as saying in Times Now.

The official also confirmed that T Natarajan, Mohammed Shami, and Navdeep Saini will be making their comebacks in the white-ball teams. Moreover, the official hinted at Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s comeback into the scheme of things as well. The BCCI is also aware of the fact that Bumrah will have a strenuous time while playing for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.

“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 added.

The source also said that “it won’t be a bad idea to test Ashwin” in the white-ball series in case Ravindra Jadeja doesn’t attain the desired levels of fitness.