India’s best fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, who could not bowl in the final innings of the fifth test match in the Border Gavaskar trophy against Australia due to injury, may not play in the up-and-coming white ball series at home against England. This series is organised before the Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to start on February 19. Bumrah injured his hand on the second day of the Test climax at Sydney Cricket Ground and was immediately rushed for a scan. He continued to bat the following morning for the Australians and was not required to bowl in the second Australian innings when the home side easily won by six wickets, chasing 162.
Bumrah’s team-mate Prasidh Krishna disclosed that the star pacer had back spasms, probably due to excessive bowling during the series. Bumrah crossed the 150-over mark in the series, taking a mind-boggling 32 wickets. According to insiders, the extent of the back spasm is still unknown in Bumrah. It takes one to two weeks of rehab if an injury is classified as a Grade 1 and approximately three weeks if the injury is classified as a Grade 2 injury before a player is allowed to resume playing. A Grade 2 injury could take an average of up to 6 weeks, while for Grade 3 – the most severe – it could take nothing less than 3 months of rest and physiotherapy.
Since fitness is a crucial aspect for Bumrah in the Champions Trophy, selectors and management is planning to give him a break in the ODI series against England starting from February 6. Nevertheless, Bumrah and other top performers were expected to miss the five-match T20I series to prepare for the 50-notch format more effectively, while his participation in the 50-ODI format remains questionable.
If it is a grade two or worse, then Bumrah may also have to sit out for the one-day international series. It is apparent the team management wants him to be fully fit for the Champions Trophy in the impending event.
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