In-form Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah was on Tuesday rested from the upcoming ODI series against Australia and the subsequent tour of New Zealand with Mohammad Siraj replacing the hero of the team’s maiden Test series triumph Down Under. With 21 scalps, Bumrah ended the four-Test series as the joint-leading wicket-taker alongside Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

“Keeping in mind the workload of the bowler, it was best felt to give him adequate rest ahead of the home series against Australia. Mohammed Siraj will replace Bumrah in the squad for the Australia and New Zealand tour,” said the BCCI in a statement.“Punjab pacer Siddharth Kaul has also been drafted into the squad for the three-match T20I series against New Zealand,” it added.

The attack comprising Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ishant Sharma has been hailed as India’s best ever. The decision to rest him comes after captain Virat Kohli also emphasised on managing the workload of the pacers following India’s maiden Test series win in Australia here on Monday.

“It’s important to take care of these guys especially, manage workloads, that’s going to be our priority going forward. But even more so, finding three more guys who can bowl as fast as and as relentless as these guys,” said Kohli.