There is good news regarding Jasprit Bumrah that will bring smiles to the Indian fans who are eagerly waiting for his return to World Cup 2023. The premier pacer has begun bowling 7 overs a day as he continues rehabilitation following back surgery. Out for nearly a year, Bumrah is currently at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). However, there is no definite answer on whether he will feature in IND vs IRE T20 series.
A lot will depend on the practice matches next month and how Bumrah manages to handle that workload. As for BCCI, the target is to get him fit for Asia Cup in August ahead of World Cup 2023.
“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. He will play a few practice matches (at NCA) next month, and there will be a close assessment of his fitness then,” a source tracking the development told PTI.
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Jasprit Bumrah Injury Timeline
- July 2022: Bumrah reported a back problem after the 2nd ODI against England in July 2022 and missed the 3rd ODI. Upon further consultation, it turned out to be a re-emergence of the back injury that he suffered in 2019.
- August 2022: Missed the ODI series in West Indies. Returned to the NCA after his back issue flared up.
- August 2022: Bumrah missed the Asia Cup as he failed to recover in time.
- September 2022: After a two-and-half-month recovery, Bumrah was rushed to return to the South Africa series ahead of the T20 WC.
- September 2022: After bowling just 6 overs in two T20s, the move backfired as Bumrah aggravated the injury.
- October 2022: Bumrah was ruled out of T20 World Cup entirely.
- November 2022: The pacer missed the New Zealand tour.
- December 2022: He also missed the Bangladesh tour.
- January 2023: Although he was initially named in the Sri Lanka ODI series, he was pulled out after he complained of a stiff back at the NCA.
- February 2023: Bumrah was ruled out of the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
- March 2023: Misses IPL 2023 and goes for back surgery in New Zealand instead.
- June 2023: Continues with rehab post-surgery and is ruled put of the WTC Final 2023.
Ramji Srinivasan, former strength and conditioning coach of Team India, said extreme care should be taken while bringing back Bumrah. The last time selectors rushed him back ahead of T20 World Cup, he could only last 6 overs in two games before breaking down completely. He had to undergo surgery in New Zealand missing out on T20 WC as well as WTC Final.
“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.
“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,” Ramji told PTI.
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