Jasprit Bumrah and Prithvi Shaw are in line to make their comebacks for the tour of New Zealand as the duo has been called to Vizag by the team management for fitness review. As per a report in Mumbai Mirror, both the players will have to report to the team management on December 18 and 19 – Team India plays the second ODI of the series against West Indies on December 18. Both Bumrah and Shaw have been out of international cricket for a while.
Starting from Bumrah, the right-arm pacer was set to play his maiden home Test against South Africa in October but was ruled out due to stress fracture in his back. After World Cup 2019, he was rested for the limited-overs series against West Indies and only played Tests. He was again rested for South Africa T20Is and was to make a comeback for Tests but was ruled out.
There is no confirmation when regarding his comeback but the latest report hints that he will be back in the side sooner than later. Bumrah isn’t expected to play T20Is against Sri Lanka and Australia ODIs. Instead, the team management might test his match fitness by asking him to play a Ranji Trophy match, like they did in the case of Hardik Pandya last year.
Bumrah might be part of New Zealand tour for Tests and limited-overs matches as well. He is yet to play a competitive match since August.
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Shaw, on the other hand, has been out of international cricket due to different reasons. He was set to open the innings in Australia last year but was ruled out of the series after he suffered an ankle injury during a practice match. Shaw was drafted in India A squad before West Indies Tests but had to be withdrawn as he was banned for eight months.
He made his comeback in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and scored a double-century in his first Ranji Trophy fixture on Wednesday. Shaw is likely to be part of New Zealand series as the reserve opener.
India tour New Zealand for five T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests in January next year.