Jasprit Bumrah may be given a break from the ODI series.Image Credit source: PTI
The Test series between India and South Africa is going on but the fitness of many of its star players remains a cause of concern for Team India. The injury of captain Shubman Gill has increased the problems for him, due to which it seems difficult for him to play in the second Test starting from November 22 in Guwahati. But not only the Test, but also the problems related to fitness and workload remain before the ODI series to be held after this. Captain Gill and Vice-Captain Shreyas Iyer are not sure to play in this series, but apart from these, two star players may stay away from 3 ODI matches.
After the end of the second Test match in Guwahati, the ODI series between India and South Africa will start from November 30. The first match of the series will be played in Ranchi. The Indian team has not been announced yet for this series. Eyes are mainly focused on the selection of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, but apart from these, the fitness of captain Gill and Iyer is also under question. Gill may be fit till this series but Iyer may take more time to get fit.
Focus on T20 hence Bumrah takes a break
Apart from all these stalwarts, there are two players who can be kept out of this series. The first name in this is Jasprit Bumrah. A report by news agency PTI has claimed that star fast bowler Bumrah may be given a break from this ODI series. The reason for this is the T20 World Cup to be held next year, due to which the 50 over format is not a priority at the moment and hence Bumrah can be given a break from the ODI series to include him in as many T20 matches as possible.
Hardik will have to prove match fitness
Apart from Bumrah, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya will also be out of the India-South Africa ODI series. Hardik had suffered an injury in his quad muscles (thigh muscles) during the Asia Cup, from which he seems to be recovering but at present he is far from match fitness. Due to that injury suffered at the end of September, Hardik has been away from cricket action for almost two months. Therefore, the selectors and team management do not want to take the risk of fielding him directly in the ODI format.
In such a situation, Hardik will not be a part of this ODI series and just before that i.e. he will prove his match fitness by playing for Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq T20 Trophy starting from 26th November. If Hardik is able to prove his fitness here, then he can return to Team India from December 10 in the India-South Africa T20 series. From this series itself, Bumrah can also be seen taking the field again. Just before the T20 World Cup starting in February, Team India has to play only 2 T20 series against South Africa and New Zealand.