India’s tour of New Zealand begins with a five-match T20I series on October 22. The ODI series will run from November 4 to 15, while the Test series will begin on November 19 and continue until early December. However, with the ODI World Cup scheduled for next year and a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final up for grabs, the bigger focus will be on the ODI and Test series. Overall, it will be a crucial tour. One aspect that has become quite apparent over the last few series is the fragility of India’s bowling attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. The star pacer has been managed carefully, with his appearances limited to specific assignments.
The Test series is very important, so there’s no point making Bumrah slog it out in the ODIs and then suddenly shift focus to red-ball cricket,” the source said. “Bumrah is completely fit, but for a long tour, it’s important to prioritise.
The more we play them, the more we back them, the better they will become,” Samson said after the 24-run loss in the fourth T20I at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium Speaking at the post-match press conference, Samson admitted that there was no replacement for a player like Bumrah, but added that India had talent elsewhere as well. “There is no replacement for Jasprit Bumrah. He is a once-in-a-generation kind of bowler, and we are very lucky to have him. But we have had some really good talent coming along also; Arshdeep (Singh) has been doing a great job, and also the way Prince Yadav has bowled in the last few games is very impressive. I feel we have some really good talent.
