India might suffer a major blow even before the commencement of the ICC Champions Trophy as paceman Jasprit Bumrah might not be available for the team’s group-stage matches due to a back strain. It is said that Bumrah had a back spasm during the Sydney Test against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series last month. The injury has now developed into swelling on his back to the extent that the BCCI has advised him to visit the NCA in Bengaluru for evaluation and to undergo rehabilitation.
It was reported that the BCCI selection committee, which met in Mumbai on Saturday to add the final touches to the T20I squad for the home series against England, has been appraised of Bumrah’s situation. The selectors now have the quandary of whether they should take the 31-year-old fast bowler in the main fifteen-man Champions Trophy party or in the playing reserves.
India has asked for more time to name their player list for the champions trophy as the ICC’s official list is due on the 12th of January. This delay may indicate that selectors are interested in seeing Bumrah’s performance at the NCA before finalizing him. The given list is likely going to be given to meet the set deadline, but it should be known that teams can tinker with the list up to February 12, which gives a chance to re-evaluate Bumrah.
This could be a big blow to Indian bowling if the pacer is not available during the group stage, as Bumrah has brought match-winning performances to ICC events. However, the team management seems to approach the matter gingerly and is likely not to risk putting him back on the playing field in a bid to hasten his recovery or, at worst, risk worsening the situation altogether. As the tournament draws nearer, everybody is expected to watch Bumrah’s recovery progress and the next decisions from the selectors to include him.
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