Jasprit Bumrah to be rested for India's home Test series against Bangladesh

Star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is likely to be rested for India's upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. Since the T20 World Cup 2024, Bumrah has been on rest and did not play the series against Zimbabwe or any of the formats in Sri Lanka.

Bumrah is India's premier bowler at the moment and the Indian team management is believed to be very cautious regarding his workload. The selectors and the team management want a fully fit Jasprit Bumrah for the big series against Australia and the upcoming ICC tournaments next year.

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Jasprit Bumrah likely to be rested for India's home Test series against Bangladesh

According to a report from The Indian Express, all the Test regulars including the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been asked by the selection committee to participate in the Duleep Trophy except Jasprit Bumrah.

Bumrah has been given some extra time off keeping in mind his workload. According to the report, the selectors will discuss about his participation in the two-Test series against Bangladesh. India have 10 Test matches lined up in the next four months, which includes an all-important five-Test series in Australia.

Apart from the Test series against Australia, India will play two Tests against Bangladesh and three against New Zealand at home. Due to such a grueling schedule, the selectors might continue to rest Bumrah for the Bangladesh Tests and keep him fresh for the home Tests against New Zealand and the away Test series against Australia.

Mohammed Shami might return against Bangladesh

The conditions for the series against Bangladesh are likely to be spin-friendly which means Bumrah might not have a big role to play. Ace fast bowler Mohammed Shami is also returning from his knee surgery, which means India already have two required fast bowlers in the form of Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj. However, it remains to be seen whether Shami is fit enough to handle the workload of red-ball cricket.

Bumrah has missed several important ICC tournaments previously which is the reason why the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar has been so careful about his workload management. The fast bowler missed a considerable amount of time between 2022 and 2023. Bumrah also missed the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, in which India exited in the semi-finals.

Jasprit Bumrah's role in T20 World Cup 2024

Ever since his return from injury in the series against Ireland last year, Jasprit Bumrah has been in exceptional form and is undoubtedly India's best bowler. He has the skills to pick up wickets with the new ball and has terrific variations for the slog overs as well. Bumrah was used as a strike bowler by Rohit Sharma in the T20 World Cup 2024 by Rohit Sharma and the fast bowler delivered most of the time.

The 30-year-old quick can be India's most important player in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the World Test Championship (WTC) final (if India qualifies) next year. Bumrah will also be vital in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to be played later this year.