Huge blow for India: Jasprit Bumrah returns home before Mumbai Test; out of 3rd match

Even before the third Test has started, India have been dealt with a significant blow. Bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will not play the third Test between India and New Zealand in Mumbai as he has been rested ahead of the high-octane Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which will begin in late November.

With Bumrah not being there, the Indian bowling attack will have some serious work to do now. Mohammed Siraj, who did not play the second Test, is likely to be back for the Mumbai Test.

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Jasprit Bumrah set to miss India's 3rd Test against New Zealand

Accoding to the Indian Express, the Indian team management wants Jasprit Bumrah fresh and firing at all cylinders in the five-match Test series against Australia, which is the main reason why he is rested.

The management earlier wanted to rest Bumrah to rest for the Pune Test but he had to play because of India's defeat in the first Test at Bengaluru. But with no other option left now. the team management has decided to rest their precious player.

The Indian team will leave for Australia on November 10. The rest will give him adequate time to recover from minor niggles and come afresh in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

A source also confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah has already flown back to his home and will only join the Indian team when the team departs for the tour down under.

Bumrah attended the compulsory training session with the Indian team on Wednesday afternoon but didn't bowl in the nets but instead focused on his drills and other stretching activities.

When Gambhir was asked about Bumrah's fitness status, he responded that the fast bowler is conserving his energy given the humid conditions in Mumbai and he knows how to prepare for a Test match being a senior player.

“I think he’s (Jasprit Bumrah) just done his preparations, I think we know how the weather is in Mumbai so obviously he needs to conserve his energy as well. So he’s done his bowling, he’s prepared really well and he’s fine. That’s why he’s a senior player, he knows how much he needs to prepare for the Test match.” Gambhir said.

Workload management of Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah has played all the matches of India's home Test season so far, including the two Tests against Bangladesh and two aginst New Zealand so far. The 30-year-old quick has already bowled 41 overs in the first two Tests against New Zealand.

His workload management becomes a priority as he is arguably India's best bowler across formats. India will need a fit and firing Jasprit Bumrah for the Border-Gavaskar trophy if they aim to complete a hat-trick of Test series wins in Australia.

Bowlers who can replace Jasprit Bumrah

Mohammed Siraj is likely to be back for the third Test in Mumbai after being left out of the Pune Test. Siraj has not enjoyed great run of form in Test cricket recently but could end up being the senior fast bowler in the absence of Bumrah.

Apart from Siraj, Harshit Rana could potentially make his Test debut as well. Rana was included in the squad after the end of second Test and could end up making his international debut before he files with the squad to Australia.