Jasprit Bumrah, a strike bowler, is expected to miss the Champions Trophy group stage next month due to health concerns, which is a blow for India.
According to The Indian Express, Bumrah has been requested to report to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru so that his recuperation may be tracked.
The top eight ODI teams in the world will compete in the Champions Trophy, which kicks off on February 19. India’s matches will be held in Karachi, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Dubai.
It is believed that Bumrah’s fitness condition was communicated to the national selectors, who convened in Mumbai on Saturday to choose the squad for the T20 series against England at home later this month.
The BCCI has requested an extension even though the Champions Trophy team announcement date is Sunday.
According to a BCCI source, Bumrah is expected to be fully fit only by the first week of March. “He (Bumrah) will be going to NCA for his rehabilitation. The initial report says he doesn’t have a fracture but has swelling on his back. So the NCA will monitor his recovery and he will be there for three weeks.
But even after that, he will have to play a match or two, even if they are practice games organised to check his match fitness,” said the source.
The selection committee is debating whether to include Bumrah on the tournament’s reserve roster or in the squad of 15. According to information obtained, the BCCI will first present the International Cricket Council with a tentative squad.
Selectors can keep an eye on Bumrah’s development as the event draws nearer because team alterations are permitted until February 12.
