Team India finalize schedule for Jasprit Bumrah: One India A ahead of New Zealand Tests; ODI unlikely

Jasprit Bumrah (BCCI Photo) NEW DELHI: India’s opening fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is unlikely to feature in the five-ODI series against New Zealand as an Indian think tank wants him to focus on the red-ball part of the tour. TimesofIndia.com has learned that Bumrah is fully fit but the team management wants him to increase his workload by playing in India A’s third match before joining the series opener in Wellington.The India A match starts on November 6 and there is enough of a 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 preparations for the red ball in Ahmedabad, will arrive at the BCCI Center of Excellence (CoE) sometime later this month before flying to New Zealand.“Bumrah is fully fit but for a long tour it is important to prioritize. The Test series is very important so there is no point in forcing Bumrah to slow it down in ODIs and then suddenly focus on red-ball cricket. He is the leader of the bowling pack and a fresh, fit Bumrah is the priority right now,” says a source following the development.It is worth noting that Bumrah last played a multi-day match 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 fit and available for the upcoming Tests.There have been many discussions with key staff, focusing not only on New Zealand but also on the five Tests against Australia early next year. Following this series, a similar approach is expected and keeping Bumrah away from meaningless bilateral matches may not come as a surprise.“The plan is not just for New Zealand but there are discussions about BGT next year as well. There is no point in wasting Bumrah on unimportant bilateral relations. Right now the focus is on WTC and all energy will be channeled into that planning,” 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.