India to rest key players
INDIAN captain Rohit Sharma and top order batsmen Virat Kohli and KL Rahul have been rested for the white-ball tour of New Zealand next month but the trio will return for the Bangladesh series, the country’s chairman of selectors Chetan Sharma said on Monday (31).
India will play three Twenty20 matches and three ODIs in New Zealand from November 18. Hardik Pandya will lead the side in the T20Is while Shikhar Dhawan is captain for the 50-over games.
The rested batting trio are back in the squad when India tour Bangladesh in December for three ODIs and two Test matches. India are currently in Australia for the T20 World Cup.
“Nobody requested to be rested. The selectors have reports on load management to decide which players need rest. We’re in constant touch with the team management and medical team,” Sharma said. He added that India’s injured fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will not be risked in the Test series in Bangladesh as the team is looking to have him fully fit before Australia tour India early next year.
Bumrah failed to make the World Cup squad due to a flare-up of a back injury.
“The NCA (National Cricket Academy) medical team is looking after him very well. He will definitely be involved against Australia but we’re being cautious when it comes to the Bangladesh tour,” Sharma said.