'Start increasing workload': BCCI sends message to hopefuls ahead of Afghanistan one-off Test
The BCCI medical team is clearing players for the Afghanistan Test, with a full-strength batting lineup expected. However, workload management will likely see changes in the bowling department, potentially giving opportunities to new faces. The No.
3 batting position remains a concern ahead of upcoming tours.
New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) medical team has started reaching out to the players in contention for the one-off Test against Afghanistan next month, and is asking them to gradually increase their workload. As TimesofIndia. com reported last month, the Indian cricket board was wary of burning out its top players.
However, with no red flags raised by the medical team, a full-strength batting group, led by captain Shubman Gill, is set to take the field in Mullanpur from June 6. "The initial plan was to keep monitoring the players' workload and the medical team has not found any red flags at the moment regarding the batting group. There is still a week before the IPL playoffs picture becomes clearer but all the regular batters - KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant - are all set to take the field for the Afghanistan Test.
The BCCI gets regular data on player workload during the IPL and is satisfied with what it has seen so far," explained a source tracking developments. The bowling group, however, could see plenty of changes as the thinktank wouldn't want to burn their premium quicks under the unforgiving June sun. Jasprit Bumrah is unlikely to take the field for the contest which is not part of the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.