Towards the end of India’s Australia tour, Jasprit Bumrah sustained back spasms which resulted in him not bowling during the second innings of the fifth Test in Sydney. To ensure Bumrah is ready and available for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy slated to be held in February-March, the BCCI might opt to rest him for the majority of the upcoming white-ball series against England at home.
According to a report in news agency PTI, the extent of Bumrah’s injury is not yet known and a call on his participation will be taken accordingly.
The fresh blow has renewed focus on Bumrah’s workload and the Indian team’s overdependence on him. The 30-year-old sent down 151.2 overs across the five Tests of the just-concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy and finished as its leading wicket-taker with 32 scalps at an average of 13.06 including three five-wicket hauls.
The report further explains that if Bumrah has sustained a Grade 1 injury, then he will need at least two-three weeks of recovery before making competitive return.
If it’s a Grade 2 injury, then the rehabiliation could extend up to six weeks but in case it’s Grade 3, then it will push him out of action for three months and rehab programmes.
India are will next host England for a five-match T20I series from January 22 followed by three ODIs in the lead up to the next month’s Champions Trophy.
While Bumrah was expected skip the T20Is considering it’s not a world cup year, he would have played in two of the three ODIs to prepare for the Champions Trophy.
