India vs England 2021: Jasprit Bumrah Might Be Rested For England White-Ball Series - Reports

Jasprit Bumrah missed out on the amazing Indian team victory in the second Test in Chennai over England, as he was given a rest for the match, after playing the first Test, also in Chennai, which India had lost by 227 runs.

However, if reports from PTI are to be believed, the Indian team management is looking to give the Gujarat fast bowler Bumrah rest for the upcoming eight white-ball matches against England which will follow the four-match Test series, starting March 2021 onwards.

There are still two more Test matches to go in the Test series, both to be played in Motera Stadium, Ahmedabad, including a day-night Test match which begins from February 24 onwards. The Indian team management wants Jasprit Bumrah to play both those matches, given that India needs to win both of the matches to reach the final of the ICC World Test Championship.

Logical To Give Jasprit Bumrah Rest After The Two Test Matches In Ahmedabad

It is almost certain that the Indian think-tank (head coach Ravi Shastri, skipper Virat Kohli and bowling coach Bharat Arun) along with the trainers and physios would take a final call on resting the pace spearhead, keeping a grueling season in mind.

“Jassi has already bowled close to 180 overs, including nearly 150 overs (149.4 overs) in four Test matches (till first Test versus England) since the start of 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 told PTI.

Another reason to give Jasprit Bumrah rest for the five T20Is and 3 ODIs against England is that it is the last opportunity for Indian team management to have a look at all potential players going into this year’s ICC T20 World Cup.

Return Of Other Bowlers And IPL 2021 Will Give Jasprit Bumrah To Prepare For The T20 World Cup

The source further revealed that there are a couple of bowlers returning back from injuries and rest, giving Jasprit Bumrah a chance to rest, given his higher workload. Also, Bumrah will get a chance to hone his craft for Mumbai Indians in the upcoming IPL 2021, where he will get atleast 14 matches to get a grip with the white ball.

“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 said.

The five T20Is against England will be played from March 12 onwards, while the three ODIS, which will be played in Pune, will begin from March 23 onwards.

Also Read: One Pink-Ball Test In A Series Is Ideal To Keep Test Cricket Alive: Sourav Ganguly