Nidahas Trophy: Indian pacer likely to miss the tri-series

The Indian team is currently in the African nation where they would be now taking on the hosts now in the T20 series-deciding match on February 24 in Capetown, as the series is now levelled 1-1. It has been quite a turbulent and an animated tour for the most of almost two months now, where they first lost the Test series 2-1 and then bounced back thunderously to win the ODI series 5-1.

After this assignment, India would be participating in the Nidahas Trophy in Sri Lanka, which would be a tri-nation T20 contest comprising of teams like, Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh. Many senior Indian players who are presently part of the South African tour are expected to be rested for the upcoming tri-series in the Lankan Islands.

Who’s likely to be rested along with Virat?

Earlier there were certain reports, that the Indian captain Virat Kohli would most likely be rested for the coming T20 series next month. Now in a recent report mentioned in the Mumbai Mirror, current leading fast bowler of the Indian team and also a regular name in the T20 team, Jasprit Bumrah is also likely to be rested for the tri-nation series.

Bumrah was also not part of the playing XI in the second T20I against the Proteas, due to slight abdominal stiffness. But now the third T20I match being the deciding encounter, he would also be recurring to play a significant role and maintain his consistent wicket-taking form in the game.

The paceman made his debut in the longest format in the 1st Test against the hosts at the very same ground where the third T20I would be happening and since then he has taken an impressive 22 wickets overall in this tour.

Selectors are thinking to rest the senior players

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has invited the two neighbouring nations to play the triangular series on the historic occasion of Sri Lanka’s 70th year of independence. The series would be starting from March 6 and the final match is scheduled to take place on March 18. Looking at the heavy workload of the Indian team in this calendar, the selectors might be thinking to rest some of the senior regular players in the upcoming tri-series.

It is very crucial to manage the hectic load both physically and mentally of players who would be coming back after a tough and challenging tour of the Rainbow nation.

“Look, this thought (of resting seniors) has been crossing the minds of selectors. They also believe that it’s only logical to give rest to regular performers who have been managing the workload in all three formats of the game. The tour of South Africa has been tough on their bodies. The Sri Lanka tour offers an ideal scenario to rest some key players while checking the bench-strength,” said a source as quoted by TOI.