Why Jasprit Bumrah is Not Playing Today in IND vs NZ 2nd T20I?

The Indian cricket team is back in action for the 2nd match in Raipur after winning the high-scoring first match of the five-match T20I series by 48 runs against New Zealand. India captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and opted to bowl first.

Suryakumar confirmed two changes in the team as injured Axar Patel has been replaced by Kuldeep Yadav. However, there was another unexpected change in the playing XI as the team's premier bowler Jasprit Bumrah has also missed out.

Why Jasprit Bumrah is Not Playing Today?

India's star pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been excluded from the playing XI as he has been rested, according to Suryakumar Yadav, for IND vs NZ 2nd T20I in Raipur.

“Bumrah is resting tonight," skipper Suryakumar said during the toss while confirming the star pacer's absence from the match.

Harshit Rana has been included in the playing XI as Jasprit Bumrah replacement. Rana has been constantly producing decent bowling performances for the team and has also come in handy with the bat several times, which will give India confidence after Axar's snub from the playing 11.

Bumrah's skills make him such a potent weapon in this format. He is one of the best T20 bowlers in the world, and can bowl at any stage during the match. India will hope that he gets through to the T20 World Cup 2026 without any injury concerns.

Why is Jasprit Bumrah Rested?

Bumrah played the India vs New Zealand 1st T20I but didn't complete his full four-over quota. The star pacer bowled only three overs and went wicketless while conceding 29 runs at an economy rate of 9.70. However, he was unlucky in the match as two catches were dropped off his bowling.

Putting Harshit Rana in place of Bumrah in the second match tells that the team management wants Bumrah to be fully fit for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. While the star pacer has been rested, he is likely to play three matches in the series.

Currently, the Indian team is leading the series 1-0 and would be hoping that they do not need the services of Bumrah in the remaining matches. Interestingly, the right-arm quick was also rested in the recently-concluded three-match ODI series, where the Men in Blue had to suffer a humiliating 1-2 loss. The answer to why Bumrah was not included in the series was the same - workload management.

Being one of the best bowlers in the world, Jasprit Bumrah remains the spearhead of India's attack. The right-arm quick was the Player of the Tournament during the last edition of the T20 World Cup, which India went on to win.