After the successful completion of the 3-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, the Indian cricket team is all set to lock horns with the islanders in the upcoming 3-match ODI series. The ODI series will kickstart on January 10 in Guwahati, and the next two matches will then take place in Kolkata and Thiruvananthapuram on January 12 and 15. However, ahead of the series, the Indian cricket team has received a big blow as star bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the three-match assignment.
Jasprit Bumrah, who was earlier named in the squad after being declared fit, will miss the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka.
“The pacer has undergone rehabilitation and has been declared fit by the National Cricket Academy (NCA). He will be joining the Team India ODI squad soon,” a BCCI statement dated January 3 read.
But the BCCI has decided not to rush Bumrah, taking lessons from the past. Sources close to the BCCI told Cricbuzz that Bumrah didn’t travel with the rest of the ODI squad to Guwahati. The NCA, who declared him fit, has recommended further rest for the speedster, considering the upcoming much-important Test series against mighty Australia next month and the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 later in the year.
However, Bumrah is expected to return to the ODI squad for the New Zealand series, which will start immediately after the Sri Lanka series. Jasprit Bumrah had last featured for India in a T20I against Australia back in September last year. Ever since then, he has been recovering from the back injury and he has gone on to miss quite a few big events for India, including the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup. His presence at the marquee events was badly missed. Some had even blamed the BCCI for rushing Bumrah back too quickly. Now it seems that the Board is not ready to take any risk with the star pacer this time.
“Team India pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the upcoming 3-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. Bumrah, who was set to join the team in Guwahati ahead of the ODI series, will need some more time to build bowling resilience. This decision has been taken as a precautionary measure,” the BCCI said in a statement.
“The All-India Senior Selection Committee has not named any replacement for Jasprit Bumrah. India play their first ODI against Sri Lanka on 10th January in Guwahati.”
India’s updated squad for Sri Lanka ODIs:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya (vc), Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh.
