“The selection committtee has to deal with workloada management which we follow very closely,” he started. “Now, we tried to hurry up Jasprit Bumrah, we tried to get him with the World Cup coming. And see what has happened? We are without Jasprit Bumrah in the World Cup.
“The NCA team and the medical team is looking after him very well. And he will definitely be part and parcel of the team very soon, in. the sense definitely against Australia (series in 2023). But for Bangladesh we are little cautious with Jasprit Bumrah as opposed to like we tried to bring him back early (post Asia. Cup). So we don’t want ot do that this time.
Jadeja aside, the spin department is formidable with the inclusion of R Ashwin, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, who last played a Test in February 2021.
“Our middle order is packed and as per team combination, wickets and conditions, we looked at players who will potentially play in the XI,” Sharma said, when asked about Vihari’s absence. On Rahane, Sharma was clear: “He needs to score some more runs in domestic cricket.”
“The door is not closed on anyone,” Sharma said. “Pujara scored runs, he’s been picked. Rahane made some runs [in the Duleep Trophy opener], he’s been playing domestic cricket and the selectors have been in constant touch with him. If he scores runs, he will definitely be considered.”
“The selectors are giving him [Sarfaraz] a chance wherever there are opportunities,” Sharma said. “He was part of the India A squad recently. He is a brilliant player, he also knows that. He’s not too far away. Sometimes you may have to work extra harder to come into the team, but otherwise he’s done his job. He’s a serious contender, there was a lot of discussion and he will definitely get a chance very soon.”
India begin the tour of Bangladesh with three ODIs in Mirpur on December 4, 7 and 10, after which they play two Tests in Chattogram (December 14-18) and Mirpur (December 22-26).
India are currently in fourth place in the WTC standings, and have a good chance of making the final should they win their remaining six Tests in the cycle. The Bangladesh Tests will be followed by four against Australia early next year.