India vs New Zealand: Jasprit Bumrah Rested for Mumbai Test against New Zealand as India Prepares for Australia Tour

Sources indicate that the star pacer returned home to Ahmedabad on Wednesday night. Initially, it was planned that the team management would send him to rest for the second Test in Pune. However, following India’s unexpected batting collapse in the first Test in Bengaluru, Bumrah participated to save India. But now, with India trailing 0-2 in the series, having lost both matches and ending a home winning streak since 2012, prioritizing Bumrah’s recovery is crucial.

A team source stated

He won’t be playing the Mumbai Test and has flown back home. The Indian team management wanted him to take some rest so that he could recover his body. He will now join the Indian team when they depart for Australia.

The current head coach of Team India, Gautam Gambhir commented when he was asked about this.

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.

During practice on Wednesday, Bumrah focused on physical drills rather than bowling, indicating the need for recovery after delivering 41 overs across the last two Tests and in both matches against Bangladesh, also his special bowling action has a different impact on his workload management. His fitness is vital for India’s success in Australia, especially with a place in the World Test Championship final at stake. Mohammed Siraj is expected to step in for Bumrah in the upcoming Test.