Bumrah set to skip New Zealand ODIs as India plan red-ball build-up with third India A match

Bumrah to miss New Zealand ODIs

India's premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is unlikely to feature in the five-ODI series against New Zealand, as the Indian think-tank wants him to focus on the red-ball leg of the tour, TimesofIndia.com has learnt.

Workload plan ahead of Tests

Bumrah is completely fit, but the team management wants him to increase his workload by playing in the third India A fixture before joining the side for the series opener in Wellington. The India A fixture begins on November 6, leaving a sufficient gap before the first Test in Wellington, which starts on November 19.

Bumrah, who has already started his red-ball preparations in Ahmedabad, is also expected to reach the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) later this month before flying to New Zealand.

Priority is a fresh Bumrah

"Bumrah is completely fit, but for a long tour, it's important to prioritise. The Test series is very important, so there's no point making Bumrah slog it out in the ODIs and then suddenly shift focus to red-ball cricket. He is the leader of the bowling pack, and a fresh, ready Bumrah is the priority right now," a source tracking developments said.

It is worth noting that Bumrah last played a multi-day fixture 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 ready and available for the upcoming Tests.

Eye on Australia Tests

The planning extends beyond New Zealand. The source added: "The plan is not just for New Zealand, but discussions are also happening for the BGT next year. There is no point wasting Bumrah for inconsequential bilaterals. Right now, the WTC is the focus, and all energies will be directed at planning for that." The five Tests against Australia early next year are the next major target, and a similar approach is expected in the build-up to that series.

Squads expected soon

India's ODI and Test squads are likely to be announced in the next few days, as selectors continue to wait for updates on players including Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna and Rishabh Pant.