Fast bowler of Indian cricket team Jasprit Bumrah will not play in the third Test match against New Zealand in Mumbai starting Friday, according to a report by Indian Express. India are already trailing 0-2 in the three-match Test series and the report says that the team management is looking to “rest” Bumrah for the upcoming tour in Australia. The Indian cricketers are expected to fly to Australia on November 10 for the five-match series and Bumrah will join the team at that time. According to the report, he has already flown back home to Ahmedabad. In Bumrah’s absence, Mohammed Siraj is expected to play.

“He will not play the Mumbai Test and has flown back home. The Indian team management wanted him to rest so that he could recover his body. He will now join the Indian team when the team leaves for Australia,” a source told the Indian Express.

Meanwhile, head coach Gautam Gambhir on Thursday dismissed claims that Indian batsmen’s skills against quality bowling have deteriorated in recent years, but felt that the slam-bang nature of T20 cricket has affected the players’ defence.

India were found wanting again in Pune in the second Test as the 113-run defeat on a spin-friendly pitch ended their 12-year unbeaten run at home.

“I don’t think so,” Gambhir said when asked if the Indian batsmen’s ability to negotiate spins has declined.

“Sometimes you have to give it to the opposition too. Mitchell Santner was outstanding in the last game. But yes, we will keep working hard, we will get better. The boys are putting a lot of hard yards into the nets.

“At the end of the day, it’s the results that matter when you’re playing international cricket, but I don’t think our ability against the spinners has gone down. It’s probably about continuing to work hard and improve,” Gambhir said on the eve the final. Test.

(With PTI inputs)