'Start increasing workload': BCCI sends message to hopefuls ahead of Afghanistan one-off Test

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) medical team has started reaching out to the players in contention for the one-off Test against Afghanistan next month, and is asking them to gradually increase their workload. As TimesofIndia.com reported last month, the Indian cricket board was wary of burning out its top players. However, with no red flags raised by the medical team, a full-strength batting group, led by captain Shubman Gill, is set to take the field in Mullanpur from June 6.

"The initial plan was to keep monitoring the players' workload and the medical team has not found any red flags at the moment regarding the batting group. There is still a week before the IPL playoffs picture becomes clearer but all the regular batters - KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant - are all set to take the field for the Afghanistan Test. The BCCI gets regular data on player workload during the IPL and is satisfied with what it has seen so far," explained a source tracking developments.

The bowling group, however, could see plenty of changes as the thinktank wouldn't want to burn their premium quicks under the unforgiving June sun. Jasprit Bumrah is unlikely to take the field for the contest which is not part of the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. A late call is expected on players like Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. With an eye on the Sri Lanka Test series, the selectors may be tempted to try fresh faces, especially in the bowling department. This could open the doors for consistent performers on the fringes.

"The bowling group is where changes are expected, as workload management is likely to kick in. There is no point burning the bowlers out for this fixture and it is also a great opportunity for selectors to test some quicks and spinners ahead of the all-important Test series in Sri Lanka," adds the source.

While India's batting core looks sorted, a big call needs to be made for the No.3 position before the tours of Sri Lanka and New Zealand later this year. Sai Sudharsan got a decent run, but his returns have been far from encouraging. While he enjoys the support of the team management, it remains to be seen for how long he can keep out an in-form Devdutt Padikkal, who has been performing consistently in the domestic circuit.

The southpaw scored 543 runs in the Ranji Trophy and had an even better tally of 725 runs from just nine innings in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Karnataka. The 25-year-old was fast-tracked into the Test set-up by men's senior selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar for the home series against England and could well return to the scheme of things when the selectors assemble next. Agarkar & Co. are also likely to push for specialists in the longest format as they aren't convinced with the stop-gap arrangements in the Playing XI and the movement in the batting order.