India’s premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, is set to miss the entire Test series against Australia due to a lower back stress fracture. A day after India captain Rohit Sharma said he was hoping Bumrah could make it for the last 2 Tests, a BCCI official confirmed to InsideSport that it is highly unlikely that Bumrah will be fit in time for the series. Instead, he is likely to make a comeback before IPL 2023.
Jasprit Bumrah is currently recovering from a lower back stress fracture and was not named for the first two Tests against Australia in Border Gavaskar Trophy. “It’s very unlikely that Jasprit Bumrah will be at his 100% for the Australia series. One thing is certain, no matter which series we play, he won’t be rushed back again. Back injuries take time and rehab is a lengthy process. At this moment, he is unfit for selection and how long it will take for him to return is still doubtful. It will take another month or probably,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
The selectors did not pick Jasprit Bumrah for the first two Tests against Australia. While he was named for the SriLanka ODIs, he was pulled out after he complained of a stiff back. Since then, he is continuing rehab once again. While he recently returned to bowling at the nets at National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, he is still a month away from regaining 100% match fitness.
On Tuesday, India captain Rohit Sharma also did not sound too hopeful of a Bumrah return. He said the team management is in constant touch with the NCA and BCCI medical team regarding Bumrah. “Not too sure about Bumrah, I am hoping he plays the last two Tests against Australia. We don’t want to take any risks with him as back injuries are always critical. We have a lot of cricket coming back after that also. We are in constant touch with physios and doctors in NCA. The medical team will give him as much time as he wants,” Rohit Sharma said at the post-match press conference after the IND vs NZ 3rd ODI.
The four-match Test series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is also part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23. Jasprit Bumrah missing the series is a big blow for India as India must win the series 2-0 or 3-1 to qualify for the WTC Final in June. The first Test of the series begins on February 9 in Nagpur. The last two Tests are scheduled to be held across the first two weeks of March.
The absence of Bumrah is a huge loss for the Indian cricket team, as he is one of the best fast bowlers in the world and has been a key player in India’s recent success. He has taken 78 wickets in 15 Tests at an average of 22.44, with a strike rate of 38.4. He is known for his ability to swing the ball, accurate yorkers, and ability to generate steep bounce. His absence will put pressure on the other bowlers to step up and fill the gap. The team management will have to come up with a strategy to compensate for his absence.
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