India’s assistant coach Abhishek Nayar addressed rumors on Wednesday, clarifying reports about Harshit Rana potentially joining the squad for the third Test match against New Zealand.
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India has not included any additional players in their squad ahead of the third Test against New Zealand and has no intentions of resting pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah prior to the forthcoming five-Test series against Australia, which is set to commence in November. Despite reports suggesting that the team management had summoned Harshit Rana to train and bowl in preparation for the third Test at Wankhede Stadium, expectations that Rana would be added to the squad—similar to Washington Sundar’s call-up before the second Test in Pune—have not materialized. Rana is among the bowlers selected for the Australia tour.
On Wednesday, India’s assistant coach Abhishek Nayar clarified that no extra player has been incorporated into the squad and confirmed that there are no plans to rest Bumrah, even though this Test is deemed inconsequential, given New Zealand’s commanding 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Concerns have been raised regarding the workload of Indian pacers in recent years, as several have suffered injuries during series.
Bumrah has a history of injuries, leading to speculation that the team management would prefer to preserve him for the Australia series. However, Nayar stated that the management is cognizant of his workload and believes that Bumrah has not bowled excessively in the two Tests, which, notably, concluded prematurely, providing him with additional rest days.
“In the two Test matches, he has bowled approximately 20 to 25 overs. Therefore, he has not bowled a significant amount. There will always be considerations regarding his workload. Additionally, we have played two matches that did not extend to five days; they lasted around three to three-and-a-half days, allowing him some rest. Nonetheless, Bumrah is crucial to our team, and his workload will always be a priority for us,” Nayar remarked during a pre-match press conference at Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday.
One of the reasons the team management has decided against resting Bumrah is the expectation that the Wankhede pitch will favor seam bowlers during the initial hour of play each day.
“I have always maintained that Wankhede provides opportunities for pace bowlers, regardless of the season, particularly when the Mumbai winter does not feel particularly cold. However, in the morning, there will be some moisture and dew present. Therefore, one can anticipate some swing during the early sessions. While I am uncertain about the condition of the pitch since it is currently covered, if it is firm, swing should also be expected. At Wankhede, fast bowlers typically greet the morning with optimism,” Nayar remarked.
He emphasized the need for the Indian team to engage in self-assessment following their loss in a home series for the first time in over a decade.
“To begin with, I must commend New Zealand for their performance and their ability to counter spin effectively in the two Test matches. I believe the conditions will differ with a red-soil pitch. The last time we played on such a surface, in Chennai, many of the players were local cricketers who understood the conditions and how the pitch would behave. At this level, it is crucial for each player to reflect on their game plans,” he stated.
“For us, the focus is on self-reflection and identifying what we can improve as a team. While there are always advantages, I firmly believe that past performances do not influence the present. What truly matters is how we perform on that specific day,” he concluded.
