India have bulletproof plan to manage bowlers’ workload on NZ Tour: Morkel
India have a “bulletproof” plan to guide their bowlers through a busy tour of New Zealand, bowling coach Morne Morkel said, with Arshdeep Singh also in contention for a potential Test debut.
India are scheduled to play five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests on the tour. With the first Test starting on November 19, just four days after the end of the ODI series, the team plans to rotate their bowlers to keep them fresh for the red ball.
Morkel said the strategy was mapped out well in advance, the players were clear about the expected workload and the role they would play across formats.
“We have mapped out this tour once before. Every bowler is clear about what is expected of him in terms of workload, in terms of bowling,” Morkel said on the eve of the third T20I.
India will also draw on players preparing for red-ball cricket with the India A side, while the ODI series will offer others valuable match practice ahead of the Tests.
“There are a few guys in the A side who are preparing for red-ball cricket. In the 50-over series, we will also rotate and give the guys the game time they need to prepare for the Test matches,” Morkel said.
A tight turn leaves little room for recovery, but Morkel believes India have enough back-up options to deal with the changes on the way. However, he admitted that even the best laid plans can be disrupted during the tour.
“Touch wood, it’s a bulletproof plan at this point in terms of how we’ve got everything mapped out, but unfortunately not everything goes to plan,” he said.
“The back-up that we have, the combinations are all in place in terms of the rotation and they ensure that we prepare for the red-ball Tests and the 50-over series. Everyone is ready, including Bumrah,” Morkel added.
ARSHDEEP IN CONTENTION
Arshdeep could be one option that India can turn to for additional pace cover during the Test series. The left-arm pacer is yet to make his Test debut, but his ability to swing the ball both ways has kept him in the conversation.
India are considering keeping New Zealand’s bowling group as cover, with the final attack composition decided once the team has a clearer understanding of the conditions.
“We are planning a group of bowlers that we would like to potentially stay behind as cover due to the schedule. In due course, once we have a better understanding of the conditions at this time of year, we will have a clear idea of the makeup of our bowling unit,” Morkel said.
The coaching staff backed Arshdeep’s ability to adapt to the longer format and pointed to his work ethic and skill set.
“On paper and in the back of our minds, there’s a nice group of bowlers who can fit all the conditions and Arshdeep is definitely in that conversation. He’s a guy who always works hard and ticks all the boxes, so if he’s needed with the red ball I’m pretty sure he’ll be fine,” Morkel said.
India will finalize their Test bowling combination closer to the series once conditions clear up. For Arshdeep, the tour could offer an opportunity to move beyond his established role in white-ball cricket and enter the red-ball showdown.
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