Indian cricket board decides to rest Jasprit Bumrah for ODI series vs Sri Lanka: Reports

Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian star pacer, was added to India’s squad for the ODI series against Sri Lanka and on January 9, Monday, reports emerged claiming that the Indian pacer would be left out for the series against the Lankan Lions in order to not rush him, given that there is a 50-over World Cup scheduled to take place in India later this year. 

For the unversed, the Indian cricket board made an official announcement on the inclusion of Bumrah on January 3 and many opined that it was too quick from the board as the pacer was not completely fit when the decision to include him for the ODI series against the Lankan Lions was taken. 

With Bumrah reportedly ruled out of the ODI series, the likes of Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh would have to stand up for the team. Shami, however, might be tasked to lead the pace battery and it remains to be seen if Bumrah’s absence would affect team India’s fortunes. 

Could India clinch series against fiery Sri Lanka?

With the T20I series not going in their favour, the Sri Lankan team would look to bounce back in the three-match ODI series which will get underway on Tuesday and it remains to be seen if they could make a statement defeating the mighty Indians at home. If at all Sri Lanka manage to win the series, it could be a start of a new era, giving them the much-needed boost ahead of the multinational tournament. 

“Before coming here, I wasn’t in form. From the start of this series, I got in good form. Happy with my own performance. The way the boys fought in this series, lots of positives. I had a finger injury, that’s the reason I didn’t bowl,” the Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka was quoted as saying after the third T20I. 

“Looking forward to bowling in the ODIs. Wishing the Indian team well, especially Surya who was too good. In the field, I want to keep calm and let the boys learn. When I come to bat, it’s a different game,” said the renowned cricketer further.