Xtra Time Web Desk: In what looks to be a serious concern for Indian team management, Jasprit Bumrah may not be available for the full test series against Australia starting next month. The premier fast bowler will be doubtful for the first test against the Aussies in Nagpur. The call on whether he can play all four Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be taken towards the end of this month.
Bumrah was withdrawn from the ODI squad for the ongoing series against Sri Lanka on Monday. He will miss the white ball series against New Zealand too. He was included in the ODI squad after he passed the fitness test at National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. But the fast bowler felt some stiffness as he underwent match simulation tests in Mumbai under the watchful eyes of Nitin Patel, who is the Head of NCA’s sports science wing. He was advised not to travel to Guwahati for the first ODI against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, January 10. It was decided Bumrah would need more rehab time. The selection committee was informed that Bumrah would not be able to handle a heavy bowling workload based on his current fitness.
Bumrah has been out of action since returning from the tour to England in September last year because of a stress reaction in his back and was rehabilitating at the NCA. He had been advised rehab for a minimum of six weeks and was making gradual progress; he resumed training on November 25 and bowling on December 16 at the NCA. It is definitely a big setback for Bumrah and Indian team as well.
According to a media released issued by the BCCI dated January 3, it stated, “The All-India Senior Selection Committee has included pacer Jasprit Bumrah in India’s ODI squad for the upcoming Mastercard 3-match ODI series against Sri Lanka.”
The latest development could see Bumrah missing a majority of the Test series against Australia as he will need at least another month of rehab. If everything goes right with Bumrah’s rehab, he can be in contention for the second half of the Test series against Australia.