Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj (Source: AFP Photos)
After the success of the Indian side in the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, where the visitors managed to tie the series 2-2, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is now looking to take care of their major players. Importantly, the pacers Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah are likely to be assessed before the all-important Asia Cup.
BCCI To Manage Bumrah And Siraj Carefully
One of the most special series for India in the recent past saw the pacers Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah perform brilliantly. Although Bumrah only featured in three games out of five, Siraj was at his very best, delivering more than 185 overs across five Tests.
Therefore, with such a greater workload across the last two months, the BCCI is now carefully looking at both these players ahead of the Asia Cup, which begins on September 9th.
The news, as reported by the Press Trust of India (PTI), states that the BCCI is now hoping to ensure that both pacers remain fit with the one-month break ahead of them. To secure their availability, they will be assessed and will have to undergo a fitness assessment before the selection meeting, which is scheduled to happen by the end of August.
It is worth mentioning that the Asia Cup will begin on September 9th, whereas India will play its first match on September 10th against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), while the final is scheduled for September 28th.
Although there are only six T20I games, the BCCI is not looking to take a risk, as immediately after the Asia Cup, the Indian side will be up against the West Indies in a two-match Test series beginning on October 2nd.
BCCI Pondering Over India's Batting Order For The Asia Cup
Not just Siraj and Bumrah, the apex body is also considering the workloads of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Test skipper Shubman Gill, and Sai Sudharsan, who were also a major part of the Test series in the UK.
Jaiswal and Gill have not been featuring in the T20I side for much of this year, as they have been focusing more on Tests, which is why they have missed out on a few of the T20I games for India.
However, with the form all three have shown in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for their respective franchises, the BCCI is considering adding these three to the 17-member lineup, which is expected to be announced later.
It will now be interesting to see if Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson manage to retain their place in the side, after the board's overall consideration.
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