Star India pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s participation in the Champions Trophy is under clouds, sources have told India Today.
Bumrah, who is one of India’s greatest-ever pacers, is currently injured and has been asked to visit the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Sources privy to the matter have stated that Bumrah might be named in the Champions Trophy squad, but his availability will be subject to his recovery. Bumrah was injured on Day 2 of the final Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The pacer had pulled out of action after bowling just one over after Lunch break. Bumrah was taken for scans and did not come out to bowl in the final innings of the match on Day 3.
“Since he is injured and will report to NCA for his rehab. As of now, we are hoping that he will be fine soon but not very sure about it as far as his selection is concerned,” sources privy to the matter. “Selectors will take call but sources indicated that he will be in the provisional squad as subject to fitness addition. A final call will be taken soon,” the sources added.
BUMRAH’S EXCESSIVE WORKLOAD
The 30-year-old Bumrah bowled more than 150 overs in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Earlier, sources had told PTI that Bumrah’s back spasm and then the subsequent injury had a direct link to his excessive workload in the series. The BCCI has not put out any official communication in relation tp Bumrah’s injury. In fact, it is not yet know what the exact nature of the injury even is.
If Bumrah’s injury is in grade 1 category, then it will take a minimum of two to three weeks of rehabilitation before Return to Play (RTP). In case of Grade 2 injury, the recovery can go up to six weeks, while Grade 3, the most severe in nature, requires a minimum three months of rest and rehabilitation programmes.
It was expected that Bumrah would not play the T20I bilateral series as this is not the World Cup year, but with the Champions Trophy around the corner, he would have certainly played two if not three ODIs against England.