New Delhi: Indian pace spreadhead Jasprit Bumrah will miss the third and final Test match against New Zealand set to be played at the iconic Wankhede stadium from November 1. India, who will be playing for pride in the game after having lost the Test series 0-2, will miss the services of their ace pacer.
According to a report published in Indian Express, the ace pacer has been rested for the series finale so that he can get ample rest before the Indian team flies to Australia on November 10 for the all-important Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The report also mentions that Bumrah, on Wednesday night, flew back to his hometown Ahmedabad.
BCCI wanted to rest Bumrah for Pune Test
It is also being learnt that the Indian cricket board wanted to rest the fast bowler for the second Test match in Pune but since India had lost the first Test match in Bengaluru, the Indian team management were not in the favour of leaving their main seamer. The report also mentions that Bumrah joined Team Indian in the practice session on Wednesday but did not sharpen his bowling skills and just did his usual drills and physical activity.
Bumrah will get almost a 10-day rest period before he joins rest of his teammates for the five-match Test series in Australia. Earlier on Wednesday, head coach Gautam Gambhir had said he’s prepared for the Test match and looking fine but di not divulge the news of his exclusion from the final Test match against the Kiwis.
Gambhir had said, “I think he’s (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.”
With Bumrah being rested, Mohammed Siraj is most likely to get the opportunity to participate in the Mumbai Test match.
