Selectors are keeping a backup ready for the Champions Trophy, which will begin next month in Dubai.
India waits eagerly for Jasprit Bumrah’s Champions Trophy update, but the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is aware that his recovery from injury could be nothing less than a miracle. As a result, they are preparing a backup option for the ICC tournament, which is set to begin next month in Dubai.
As per a report in the Times of India, Bumrah, who suffered a back injury during the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia earlier this month, will be assessed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Rowan Schouten in New Zealand. The decision for the consultation visit will be made based on initial reports.
“The BCCI medical team is in touch with Schouten in New Zealand. The board had planned a visit for Bumrah to New Zealand, but it hasn’t happened yet. The selectors know it will take a miracle for Bumrah to become 100% fit within the given timeline,” a BCCI source told TOI.
Bumrah, along with other fast bowlers from the Australia tour, has been rested after the tough campaign. Therefore, he wasn’t picked for the T20I series against England, nor did he play in the fifth round of the Ranji Trophy group matches. According to the report, Bumrah was supposed to be evaluated last week after the break. These evaluation reports will be sent to Schouten, who had previously operated on Bumrah after he missed the 2022 T20 World Cup. While selectors hope for his return to the Champions Trophy, they are not willing to rush the process, knowing that he will also be required for the long England tour in June.
“The feedback from the medical team will decide everything. The board and Bumrah himself don’t want to rush things because he is crucial for the team in the long term,” the source added. “The selectors will only be updated if he is fit and ready to play after completing the recovery process. They will also need a backup plan in place. It will be a miracle if Bumrah is ready to play.”
Who Will Replace Bumrah?
If Bumrah is ruled out, the selectors will need to choose a backup fast bowler. Recently, Harshit Rana was included in the Indian ODI squad for the first two matches against England at home.
It remains to be seen if the Delhi pacer will make it to the Champions Trophy squad. However, sources have mentioned that Mohammed Siraj, who was not included in the initial squad, might be considered as a backup pacer.
