Selectors in fix over pace attack for Afghanistan Test

India’s national selectors are in a dilemma over choosing the fast bowlers for the one-off Test against Afghanistan, scheduled from June 6 in Chandigarh, due to the tight schedule and IPL workload concerns for key pacers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

The selectors have a meeting with the BCCI to discuss the roadmap for the next few months, possibly over the weekend or next week. India have nine Tests in the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle over the next nine months, excluding the Afghanistan Test.

The main concern is whether to push frontline pacers given the IPL ends on May 31. As of Tuesday, only Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians were eliminated from the IPL playoffs, with Bumrah being the only Test regular from these teams. Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, other Test regulars, are with Gujarat Titans, who are in playoff contention.

Akash Deep and Harshit Rana are injured, unlikely to be fit soon. The selectors have indicated moving on from Mohammed Shami, making his selection surprising.

Emerging pacers like Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Auqib Nabi, Prince Yadav, and Nitish Kumar Reddy are in consideration. The BCCI monitors workload data, and a call on Bumrah will be taken after discussion. Frontline batters are expected to be picked.

**Key Points:** - Selectors face dilemma due to IPL workload and upcoming WTC Tests. - Bumrah’s workload a sensitive topic; Siraj and Krishna’s IPL participation affects selection. - Emerging pacers could get a chance if frontline bowlers are rested. - Frontline batters likely to play; selectors want the strongest XI. - Previous Afghanistan Test saw a frontline XI being fielded.