Jasprit Bumrah bowling seven overs in the nets at NCA (AFP Photo)
Jasprit Bumrah has started to bowl 7 overs at the NCA and is likely to take part in practice games next month but there is no timeline on the return of the star pacer
Team India pacer Jasprit Bumrah last played for the Indian team in September 2022, and with just 100 days remaining in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, there’s still no timeline for Bumrah’s return to action. As per a report in PTI, Bumrah is bowling seven overs in the nets at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, but there’s no timeline yet as to when he will recover fully from the stress fracture that he sustained.
There is some good news however that the star pacer is likely to take part in some practice games next month at the NCA, after which his progress will be monitored by the physios of BCCI.
Recently, Cricketnext had reported that Bumrah is likely to make his comeback during the T20I series against Ireland which is slated to be played in August, shortly before the Asia Cup 2023.
The 29-year-old had undergone a surgery in March after the back niggle that has kept him out of action for more than a year, taking into account the previous back injury that he aggravated after playing against Australia last year.
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A source privy to the developments told PTI that Bumrah’s fitness will only be assessed next month once he’s fit to play some practice matches.
“For an injury of this nature, it is not wise to set any timeline as constant monitoring is necessary. But it can be said that Bumrah is recovering well and he has bowled seven overs at NCA nets. It is a steady increase in his workload from the light workouts and bowling sessions of the initial period,” said the source.
He added, “He will play a few practice matches (at NCA) next month, and there will be a close assessment of his fitness then.”
Former strength and conditioning coach of Team India, Ramji Srinivasan meanwhile has echoed the words of ex-India coach Ravi Shastri, who has warned the BCCI against rushing back Bumrah and avoiding the mistake they made last year.
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“He should not be hurried. Playing practice matches at the NCA is a good step as it will help tune his body to the demands of a match. But he should be made to play in some actual (domestic) matches before bringing him to top-level cricket,” said Srinivasan.
“The demands of international cricket are different and the body should be absolutely ready to take that amount of workload. Recovering from stress fracture is a delicate exercise and Bumrah should be allowed maximum recovery time,” the veteran added.
Furthermore, the report added that both KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, who was recovering from their respective injuries at NCA are progressing well, but there is no timeline for the return of the aforementioned duo.