Bumrah set to play India A match before New Zealand Tests

India's premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is unlikely to feature in the five-match ODI series against New Zealand and will instead focus on red-ball cricket. The team management wants him to play the third India A fixture beginning November 6 before joining the Test squad for the first match in Wellington on November 19. Bumrah is reported to be fully fit after recovering from a knee injury.

The decision reflects India's priority on the two-Test series and the subsequent five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia early next year. Sources told Times of India that there is little point in Bumrah playing white-ball matches before shifting focus to Tests. The ODI and Test squads are expected to be announced in the coming days.

Sanju Samson said after India's T20I defeat in Hyderabad that there is no replacement for Bumrah, describing him as a once-in-a-generation bowler.