India vs West Indies 2018: 5 Players who might be rested for the T20I series against Windies

Nine days - the amount of gap between the end of the T20I series against West Indies and the start of the T20I series against Australia.

Well, nine days might seem to be an adequate amount of rest (for a cricketer) in today's day and age. However, we need to take into consideration that World Cup 2019 is just on the cards and managing the workload becomes the uppermost priority for any cricket playing nation and its administration.

Indian cricket team will be playing 3 T20I, 4 Tests, and 3 ODIs (all in that order) against Australia starting from 21st November. The Australian tour will last for good two months which is why resting a few Indian players for the T20I series against the Windies seems legit.

Besides, MSK Prasad, the chief selector, also mentioned that after resting Virat Kohli for the Asia Cup 2018 the Indian management is ready to rest few more players before the Australian tour.

Thus, in this feature, we will have a look at a few Indian players whom the Indian management might rest for the T20I series against West Indies.

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#1 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

India's premier bowler, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, has been a regular customer of the injuries. Bhuvi has struggled considerably due to his lower back problems in recent past (IPL and the series against England).

However, post some rehab sessions, Kumar came back to the groove with some excellent performances in the Asia Cup 2018. Nonetheless, BCCI once again rested Bhuvi, as a precautionary measure, for the Test series against West Indies as well as for the first two ODIs against West Indies.

To be fair enough, BCCI and the selectors have done a decent job in the resting their key players ahead of some important series and assignments. Hence, while emphasizing upon MSK Prasad's comments, we can expect the selectors to rest Kumar for the T20I series against West Indies.

Besides, it could also help the cause for other players as they will get their deserved break for the series.

#2 Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah

Another player of the same peer group whom BCCI might rest for the T20I series against West Indies is Jasprit Bumrah. Much like Kumar, Bumrah has also been India's premier bowler, especially in the limited overs format. In addition to that, our fast bowling lineup depends heavily upon Bumrah and Bhuvi. Anyone's absence could generate heavy losses for India.

Jasprit Bumrah hasn't faced any exhaustive injuries - the injuries caused due to a heavy workload. However, resting Bumrah here seems to be important. Besides, BCCI could not afford to miss Jasprit in Australia because Bumrah will turn out to be quite productive in Australia due to his awkward bounce which will be seen more often than not in Australia.

Considering all that, BCCI might think of extending Bumrah's rest in the T20I series as well. Moreover, India also has a good crop of backup bowlers whom BCCI might provide the break in the T20I series against West Indies.

#3 Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya, India's all-round prospect, has now become a regular affair in the Indian team. Pandya has become an influential member in the Indian middle-order as well as in the bowling department.

Hardik's inclusion in the playing XI provides India with a decent bat-ball balance as he allows the room for an extra batsman or an extra bowler on any given day. Hence, his importance for the Australian tour.

Hardik had to face an unusual injury while bowling in the Asia Cup 2018. Due to the injury, he was forced to miss the rest of the Asia Cup 2018. Eventually, the Indian selectors rested Pandya for the Test as well as the ODI series (first two ODIs) against West Indies.

With a much-important series set to come, the Indian administration might well rest Hardik Pandya for the T20I series against West Indies as well. Moreover, with Pandya still on a recovering curve, the argument of resting Pandya strengthens.

#4 Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli, the Indian captain, has had an exhausting 2018 - South African tour in January, IPL in April, English tour in July, and the home series against West Indies in October. Considering Virat's dynamic workload before the Asia Cup, BCCI chose to rest their premier batsman for the Asia Cup 2018.

Nonetheless, Virat came back for the home Test series against West Indies and now for the ODI series as well. Thus, with Kohli having played the Test and the ODI series (at-least first two ODIs), we could expect the Indian administration to rest Virat Kohli again for the T20I series against West Indies ahead of the much-important Australian tour.

Besides, Rohit Sharma's availability helps the cause for BCCI. Sharma has captained the Indian wonderfully under the absence of Kohli and handing him the captaincy for the T20I series against West Indies will not be a bad option by any means.

In addition to that, it would also help Virat Kohli to ease off his body ahead of the Australian tour which is expected to be a gruelling assignment for India.

#5 MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni, India's first choice wicket-keeper batsman, has faced a lot of ire for his recent form. In the recent past, MS Dhoni has failed to make some vital contributions with the bat which has put him under the scanner.

However, MS Dhoni hasn't been about just batting. There is a lot more to that MS Dhoni contributes to than just batting. He has been an exceptional wicket-keeper and a guide for the spin bowlers. Hence, his place in the playing XI.

Some might argue that BCCI doesn't need to rest MS Dhoni. Well, agreed. But, resting MS Dhoni is like killing two birds with a single stone.

Firstly, resting MS Dhoni will ensure that BCCI didn't have to rush for last minute changes in the team due to injuries. Secondly, resting Dhoni will help BCCI to try out few options for the wicket-keeping slot. It will help BCCI to draft Pant into the T20I team which instill a sense of confidence in Pant.

Thus, BCCI might opt to rest Dhoni ahead of the Australian tour for the stated reasons. Although it is highly unlikely to happen, we can't rule it.