The National Cricket Academy (NCA) has come under fire for not being transparent when it comes to providing updates on the recovery of pacers being nursed by the centre. What started with Mohammed Shami in 2024 has now spilt over to Jasprit Bumrah. The uncertainty over the availability of the two pacers, especially before ICC Champions Trophy, leaving India cricket team in a lurch.
NCA should end silence on Bumrah, Shami
NCA has been called out multiple times over the course of IND vs AUS Test series for the lack of communication on Shami‘s recovery status. While the pacer was expected to join the team for the last two Tests, he faced a setback after reportedly developing swelling in his knees. He failed to get fitness clearance from the NCA but the medical team did not provide any official update on his status of recovery. Former India coach Ravi Shastri pointed out the same, questioning what the pacer was doing at the NCA after spending months nursing his injury.
Shami went under the knife in the earlier in June 2024 after sustaining an ankle injury post the ODI World Cup in 2023. Since then, he was recovering at the NCA. He returned to competitive cricket in the domestic tourneys, taking part in Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. However, he hit a roadblock as he developed swelling in his knees. When India skipper Rohit Sharma was asked about Shami’s fitness during Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he had clearly thrown the NCA under the bus, asserting that the centre should provide an update on the pacer.
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Now, there is suspense over Bumrah’s injury. While Prasidh Krishna informed that he had sustained a back spasm on Day 2 of IND vs AUS 5th Test, there has been no official update on the extent of his injury. While some reports claim that he might be named vice-captain for the ODI marquee tournament if he is fit, others state that he is likely to be included for Champions Trophy 2025 with a conditional clause.
With lack of clarity over the availability of the veteran duo, it is high time that the NCA end silence on the status of the players and the nature of their injuries. With just days to go for the deadline for teams to submit their provisional squads for CT 2025, the NCA ought to provide an official update and pretty much hold the key for the duo’s availability for the tournament.
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