Bumrah's Return Highlights India's First Venture In The New Year

Squad-building and identifying suitable back-up options will be high on both teams’ agenda

- Y.B. Sarangi

With about 10 months to go for the T20 World Cup, India and Sri Lanka will look to try out various options as they begin the New Year with the first of the three-match series at the ACA Stadium, Barsapara, here on Sunday.

“Because the tournament is in Australia, you will need several options and back-ups ready. We need to identify five or six guys on priority, who goes (first) and then the back-ups. With fast bowlers niggles can happen. We're pretty sorted out in that regard,” said India captain Virat Kohli on Saturday.

Opportunities

By resting opener Rohit Sharma and speedster Mohammed Shami, India has given others opportunities.

Jasprit Bumrah’s come back is one of the major highlights of the series. The pace ace was out of action for four months owing to a back injury and would like to regain his touch.

Bumrah’s combination with other pacers, including Shardul Thakur, Navdeep Saini and all-rounder Shivam Dube, will be interesting to note.