Jasprit Bumrah, an Indian fast bowler, has been absent from the field for nearly five months due to a back injury that worsened in September when he was hastily brought back into the Indian side for the T20 World Cup. Although there was hope that he would make a comeback during the IPL and be available for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, a recent report suggests that his injury is more severe than previously thought, raising doubts about his participation in both events. The news of Bumrah’s extended absence has generated mixed reactions on social media.
According to Cricbuzz, Bumrah is still not feeling comfortable and is hence looking at a longer break from the sport. It further adds that Indian team is now hoping that Bumrah gears up for a return before the ODI World Cup later this year, if not play the Asia Cup.
Bumrah last played for India in a T20I match against Australia in September at home. Not only did he missed the T20 World Cup, the injury had ruled him out of the away series in New Zealand and Bangladesh and home fixtures against Sri Lanka and Australia. He was initially named for the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka but was pulled out of the squad in a last-minute U-turn as the NCA and the BCCI decided he still had not regained full fitness.
Even without Bumrah though, the Indian team is in a roll currently, leading Australia 2-0 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. They beat the Aussies by an innings and 123 runs in the opener in Nagpur before scripting a six-wicket win in the second Test in New Delhi to retain the trophy for the fourth straight time. The third Test will be played in Indore starting March 1.
