Team India firms up plan for Jasprit Bumrah: One India A match before New Zealand Tests; ODIs unlikely

NEW DELHI: India’s premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is unlikely to feature in the five-ODI series against New Zealand because the Indian think-tank wants him to focus on the red-ball leg of the tour. TimesofIndia.com has learnt that Bumrah is completely fit, but the team management wants him to increase his workload by playing in the third India A fixture before joining the side for the series opener in Wellington.The India A fixture begins on November 6, and there is a sufficient gap between that game and the first Test in Wellington, which starts on November 19. It is further understood that Bumrah, who has already started his red-ball preparations in Ahmedabad, will reach the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) sometime later this month before flying to New Zealand.“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. He is the leader of the bowling pack, and a fresh, ready Bumrah is the priority right now,” says a source tracking developments.It is worth noting that Bumrah last played a multi-day fixture against South Africa at home last year. A knee injury ruled him out of the two Tests against Sri Lanka earlier this year, but the Indian team management wants him ready and available for the upcoming Tests.Multiple discussions have taken place with key personnel, with the focus not just on New Zealand but also on the five Tests against Australia early next year. In the build-up to that series, a similar approach is expected, and keeping Bumrah away from inconsequential bilateral matches may not come as a surprise.“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,” adds the source.India’s ODI and Test squads are likely to be announced in the next few days as the selectors continue to wait for updates on players like Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna and Rishabh Pant.