New Delhi
Jasprit Bumrah is expected to return for the three-Test series against New Zealand starting on October 16 after the break he got after India’s T20 World Cup win, but the fast bowler may be rested for the two Tests against Bangladesh in September. The Indian team management and selectors want to bring more variety to the fast bowling attack. Therefore, left-arm seam and swing bowlers can be included in the list of fast bowlers to get the Test ‘cap’. In terms of experience, the selectors have two options in the form of Arshdeep Singh and Khalil Ahmed. Arshdeep plays regularly in the T20 format.
A source in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) told PTI on the condition of anonymity, “Bumrah knows his body very well and it will depend on him whether he wants to play in the Test against Bangladesh or not. The team management and selectors are very clear that India needs a 100 percent fit Jasprit Bumrah for all five Test matches against Australia. But before that, the New Zealand team will come to India, in which he will probably play and will be ready for a tough challenge.”
The plan to play Arshdeep in red ball cricket was also there during Rahul Dravid’s tenure, so he was sent to Kent to play some county matches last year. Khalil is a better bowler but his bowling is quite irregular. The other option for the left-arm fast bowler is Yash Dayal but he is behind Khalil and Arshdeep in this race.
At the same time, it is understood that Salil Ankola’s tenure has finally ended and he has been told that the selection meeting for the Sri Lanka tour was his last meeting. Former Indian wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra is the most preferred choice for the fifth position selector, which is traditionally given to a candidate from the North Zone. This position was vacant after former selection committee chairman Chetan Sharma was removed during a sting operation by a private channel. Ratra was interviewed along with Ajay Mehra, Shakti Singh and RS Sodhi.