Jasprit Bumrah set to test fitness in third ODI against England ahead of Champions Trophy
Xtra Time Web Desk: India's star fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, is scheduled to test his match fitness in the third ODI against England on February 12 in Ahmedabad. The selectors and team management are hopeful that this will allow Bumrah to be fully fit for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
Bumrah was included in India’s 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy, but his inclusion carries an asterisk, as it is contingent upon his fitness. Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of selectors, confirmed that Bumrah would not be available for the first two ODIs against England on February 6 and February 9 due to a back issue that prevented him from bowling during the final day of the Sydney Test.
Read More:
Rohit Sharma confirms participation in upcoming Ranji Trophy match after 10 years
"With Bumrah, we are waiting to hear about his fitness and when he's likely to be available," Agarkar said during the announcement of India’s squads. "At the moment I don't think he [Bumrah] is likely to be fit for the first couple of games [of England series] at least from what we gather. We will probably hear more in the next week or so about his fitness."
In Bumrah’s absence, Delhi and India fast bowler Harshit Rana will be part of the squad as cover. Although Rana made his Test debut in Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he is uncapped in ODIs and T20Is. Bumrah had left the field briefly during the Sydney Test due to back spasms, and his injury was later deemed to be stress-related. The initial tests did not reveal a stress fracture, but it is believed that his workload in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he bowled 151.2 overs, contributed to the discomfort.
Read More:
'Not a punishment, but a push for bonding', Agarkar on BCCI’s new rules
Following advice from medical experts, the BCCI has decided to rest Bumrah for five weeks, after which another scan will be conducted. "I know he was asked to offload for five weeks of bowling, which is early first week February if I'm not wrong," Agarkar stated. "And we'll probably find out a bit more around that time what exactly and with regards to what his medical condition is."
If Bumrah is not fit in time for the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19, the selectors will discuss alternative options. India’s group-stage matches in the Champions Trophy include games against Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand.
