India have developed a comprehensive workload management plan for their demanding tour of New Zealand, with bowling coach Morne Morkel confident that the team has enough depth to keep its pace attack fresh across formats. The tour includes five T20Is, five ODIs and two Test matches, leaving the Indian management with a tight schedule to navigate. Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh is also in contention for a possible Test debut, depending on the team’s requirements and conditions.
The first Test is scheduled to begin on November 19, just four days after the conclusion of the ODI series. With limited recovery time between formats, India intend to rotate their bowlers and ensure they are adequately prepared for the demands of red-ball cricket.
Speaking ahead of the third T20I, Morkel explained that the management had planned the workload distribution well in advance. The players have been informed about their responsibilities, expected bowling workloads and potential roles during the tour. “We’ve mapped out this tour once before. Every bowler is clear in terms of what’s expected of them in terms of workloads, in terms of bowling,” Morkel said.
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India will also rely on players preparing for red-ball cricket with the India A squad. Meanwhile, the five-match ODI series will provide valuable match practice to bowlers who are expected to feature in the Test leg.
“There are a couple of guys on the A side getting ready for red-ball cricket. In the 50-over series, we will also rotate and give guys the game time they need to get ready for the Test matches,” the bowling coach added. Despite the detailed planning, Morkel acknowledged that injuries, changing conditions and other unexpected developments could force India to adjust their strategy. However, he remains confident that the squad has sufficient backup options to manage such situations.
India plan to keep backup bowlers in New Zealand for the two-Test series. Bowling coach Morne Morkel said the strategy aims to manage workloads across five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests. India will rotate bowlers during ODIs, while some players prepare through India A matches to reduce burnout risks.
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“Touch wood, it’s a bulletproof plan at the moment in terms of how we’ve mapped everything out, but unfortunately, not everything goes according to plan,” he said.
Morkel also stressed that India have already considered different bowling combinations and rotation options to prepare for the challenges of the ODI and Test series. He confirmed that the plans include established fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. “The backup we’ve got, the combinations are all in place in terms of rotation and making sure we get ready for the red-ball Tests and the 50-over series. Everybody’s ready, including Bumrah,” Morkel added.
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One of the players being considered for the Test series is Arshdeep Singh. The left-arm pacer has established himself in India’s white-ball setup, but he is yet to make his debut in Test cricket. His ability to swing the ball in both directions and his consistent work ethic have kept him in contention for a longer-format opportunity.
India are also considering retaining a group of additional bowlers in New Zealand as cover, given the demanding schedule and the possibility of injuries. The final composition of the Test attack will depend on the conditions and the team’s assessment closer to the series.
“We are planning a group of bowlers that we would like to potentially stay behind as cover because of the schedule. Closer to the time, once we get a better understanding of the conditions at this time of the year, we’ll get a clear picture regarding the make-up of our bowling unit,” Morne Morkel explained.
The bowling coach expressed confidence that Arshdeep could adapt to the demands of red-ball cricket if selected. “On paper and in the back of our minds, there is a nice group of bowlers that can suit all conditions, and Arshdeep is definitely in that conversation. He’s a guy that always works hard and ticks all the boxes, so if needed with the red ball, I’m pretty sure he’ll be fine,” he said.
India will finalise their Test bowling combination after assessing the conditions in New Zealand. With careful workload management and sufficient backup options, the team will aim to maintain the fitness of its key bowlers throughout the tour, while Arshdeep could have an opportunity to make his mark in the longest format.
