India’s star fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, is reportedly set to miss the group stage of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy due to a back injury. Bumrah, who performed exceptionally well in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, sustained a back spasm during the final Test in Sydney, which prevented him from bowling in the second innings.
According to reports from The Indian Express, Bumrah has developed swelling in his back and will undergo rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. The BCCI selection committee has been updated on his condition, and although the official squad selection deadline was January 12, the board is requesting an extension. The team can still make changes to the provisional squad until February 12, meaning Bumrah’s potential return remains a possibility if he recovers in time.
A BCCI source clarified that Bumrah does not have a fracture, but the swelling may delay his recovery until early March. The fast bowler will undergo three weeks of rehabilitation at the NCA, after which he must play practice matches to prove his match fitness before the selectors consider him for inclusion.
India is also facing fitness concerns with other key bowlers. Although Mohammed Shami is included in the squad for the England T20Is, the team will assess his fitness further to determine his availability for the Champions Trophy. Additionally, Kuldeep Yadav is recovering from a groin injury, adding to the uncertainty over India’s bowling lineup for the tournament.
These injury setbacks could leave India without some of their leading bowlers for the crucial Champions Trophy group stages.
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