India selectors are facing a major challenge over managing their fast bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan.
India national cricket team are set to play a one-off Test against Afghanistan in Chandigarh from June 6, but the tight international schedule and workload concerns surrounding the pace attack have complicated the selection process.
According to a TOI report, the selectors are expected to hold discussions with the BCCI over the next few days to finalise India’s roadmap for the upcoming months. The selection meeting is likely to take place either later this week or early next week.
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Jasprit Bumrah And Mohammed Siraj’s Workload Becomes Key Concern
India’s management reportedly remains keen on fielding the strongest possible playing XI for every Test match despite the Afghanistan clash not being part of the current ICC World Test Championship cycle.
However, the immediate concern revolves around whether India should risk their frontline pacers after a demanding IPL 2026 season that concludes on May 31.
Jasprit Bumrah has become the central figure in the discussion, especially after Mumbai Indians were eliminated from the IPL playoff race. Bumrah remains the only regular Test fast bowler from the eliminated sides.
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Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna are still involved with Gujarat Titans, who remain in playoff contention.
India are also dealing with injury setbacks, with Akash Deep still recovering from a lower-back injury, while Harshit Rana is not expected to regain fitness before the third week of June.
Selectors Eye Backup Pacers As Mohammed Shami Future Remains Unclear
The report further stated that selectors have largely moved on from veteran pacer Mohammed Shami, making his return for the Afghanistan Test highly unlikely.
Instead, the BCCI has reportedly instructed several fast bowlers in the targeted pool to increase their workload during the remainder of IPL 2026.
Young pacers Anshul Kamboj and Gurnoor Brar remain part of the India ‘A’ setup and are being monitored closely.
Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi has also emerged as a possible contender following impressive performances in domestic cricket, although he is not part of the India ‘A’ pathway. Prince Yadav has similarly caught the selectors’ attention.
A BCCI source revealed the management’s clear stance on team selection. “The selectors don’t believe in compromising the Test squad just because India are playing Afghanistan. They want the best lineup to play. They don’t want to distribute Test caps so easily. Siraj’s workload threshold is very high.”
The source further added, “Prasidh hasn’t played an IPL match since April 24. Nitish Kumar Reddy is also seen as someone who can contribute to the seam-bowling department. The BCCI monitors all data points when it comes to workload management.”
On Bumrah’s availability, the source stated, “A call on Bumrah will be taken after a detailed discussion. The last time India played Afghanistan in a Test match, the frontline XI was played.”
Despite the uncertainty around the bowling department, all frontline Indian batters are expected to be included in the squad for the one-off Test.
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