Wellington: India are planning to retain a dedicated group of bowlers in New Zealand as backup options for the two-match Test series next month and left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh is being considered for a part in this “bulletproof” workload management plan, bowling coach Morne Morkel said on Monday.
The Indian team management has drawn up this strategy for its bowlers to help them navigate a packed schedule comprising five T20Is, five ODIs and two Test matches here.
“We are planning a group of bowlers that we would like to potentially stay behind as cover because of the schedule. Closer to the time, once we get a better understanding of the conditions at this time of the year, we’ll get a clear picture regarding the make-up of our bowling unit,” Morkel said on the eve of the third T20I here.
Arshdeep marked his 100th T20 international during the second T20I against New Zealand at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, where he took two wickets. Predominantly a T20I specialist, Arshdeep is close to becoming India’s first bowler to reach 150 T20I wickets, currently needing just two more.
He has also shown promise in One Day Internationals, taking 30 wickets in 18 matches, including a five-wicket haul. However, he has yet to make his Test debut. In domestic red-ball cricket, Arshdeep has taken 73 wickets in 24 matches at an average of 30.71, including two five-wicket hauls and best figures of 6/40.
Speaking to reporters about Arshdeep’s red-ball prospects, Morkel said, “We are sort of planning, you know, a group of bowlers that we would like to potentially stay behind as cover (for Tests) because of the schedule. I also think closer to the time, once we get a better understanding of the conditions at this time of the year, you know, we will get a clear picture in terms of the makeup of our bowling unit.”
He added, “So at the moment, on paper, in the back of our minds, there are a nice group of bowlers that can suit all the conditions, and Arshdeep is definitely in that conversation. And yeah, I mean, in terms of that, he is a guy who always, you know, works hard. He ticks all the boxes. So if needed with the red ball, I am pretty sure, you know, you will be fine.”
On managing the workload of bowlers across five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests, Morkel explained that the tour schedule was planned well in advance and that workload management has been communicated clearly to the players. “I am pretty sure you’re aware there are a couple of guys playing in the India A getting ready for red-ball cricket. In the 50 overs, we will also rotate and give guys, you know, the game time that is needed, we felt for the Test matches. So I think we have got a—I am gonna touch wood—a bulletproof plan at the moment in terms of how we have mapped everything out,” he said.
He cautioned that plans might not always go perfectly but stressed that backup options and rotation combinations are in place. “The backup we have got and the combinations we have got are all in place and ready in terms of rotation and making sure when we get ready for that first Test and for the 50 overs, everybody is ready. That is including (Jasprit) Bumrah all the way down,” Morkel added.
The five ODIs are scheduled to begin from November 4 following the five T20Is. Arshdeep is included in both the T20I and ODI squads. Additionally, pacers Anshul Kamboj and Akash Deep, who are part of the Test squad with matches starting from November 19, will feature in the three-match India A series. Several Test regular batsmen, including captain Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel, are also participating in the India A games to gain match practice ahead of the Test series.
