Sports · Cricket · 1 hr ago
India plans backup bowlers for New Zealand Tests to manage workloads
India is planning a backup group of bowlers for its two-Test series in New Zealand next month.
The tour also includes five T20Is and five ODIs, creating a demanding schedule for the bowlers.
The Tests begin on November 19, just four days after the five-match ODI series ends.
India plans to rotate bowlers in the ODIs, while some players are building red-ball readiness with India A. The final bowling combination will be decided closer to the Tests, once the team has a clearer idea of conditions in New Zealand.
Bowling coach Morne Morkel said Arshdeep Singh is among the options for red-ball cricket.
The plan is to have everyone, including Jasprit Bumrah, ready, though Morkel noted that plans can change.
India plans to rotate bowlers and keep a group in New Zealand as backup for the two-Test series.
Bowling coach Morne Morkel said the plan is intended to manage workloads during a tour featuring five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests.
The first Test is scheduled to begin on November 19, four days after the ODI series ends.
India will decide on the Test bowling combination closer to the series after assessing conditions.
Arshdeep Singh is among the options being considered for pace cover and a potential Test debut.
- Who
- India’s cricket team and bowling coach Morne Morkel. Arshdeep Singh is among the bowlers being considered.
- What
- India plans to rotate bowlers and keep a group in New Zealand as backup for the Tests.
- When
- The tour is scheduled for 2026, with the first Test beginning on November 19.
- Where
- New Zealand.
- Why
- The packed schedule and short gap between the ODI series and first Test make workload management important.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Morkel described India’s workload plan and said a group of bowlers could stay in New Zealand as cover.
The first Test is scheduled to begin, four days after the ODI series ends.
- Tour schedule
- Five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests
- First Test
- November 19
- Gap after ODIs
- Four days
- Backup option
- Arshdeep Singh is in contention for pace cover and a potential Test debut
- Decision on bowling combination
- To be made closer to the series after assessing conditions
3 sources
What people are saying
We've mapped out this tour once before. Every bowler is clear in terms of what's expected of them in terms of workloads, in terms of bowling,
Touch wood, it's a bulletproof plan at the moment in terms of how we've mapped everything out, but unfortunately, not everything goes according to plan,
We are planning a group of bowlers that we would like to potentially stay behind as cover because of the schedule.
On paper and in the back of our minds, there is a nice group of bowlers that can suit all conditions, and Arshdeep is definitely in that conversation.