There is finally some good news on the injury front for India Cricket Team before World Cup 2023. India’s star pacer Jasprit Bumrah is all set to return to action on India’s tour of Ireland. Bumrah has been out since September having undergone surgery for a lower back issue. KL Rahul also eyes return to action in the Asia Cup 2023. However, Shreyas Iyer who also underwent a back surgery is doubtful for Asia Cup.
Jasprit Bumrah Injury Update: The selectors and the BCCI along with the National Cricket Academy want Bumrah to return to action gradually. Instead of taking the workload of a 50-over game, the team management wants to check his fitness level in T20s. India will play three T20s against Ireland on August 18, 20 and 23.
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The idea is to get him back in prime fitness by World Cup 2023. However, since he has missed nearly a year of cricket, the NCA wants to take it slow. After Ireland tour, India will play in the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. That will be Bumrah’s first 50-over assignment before WC.
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.
The premier pacer is currently at the NCA undergoing rehab and as per a Cricbuzz report, he has made 70% recovery. With Ireland tour is still two months away, BCCI hopes to see him back by then. But in any case, he will nit be risked or rushed. Bumrah will only play against Ireland if he is 100% fit.
To continue with his recovery, Bumrah will play a few games at the NCA next month and will begin bowling at full tilt.
But the games will be the biggest test for the pacer. It will not only assess his fitness but also match-fitness. If he passes the bowling challenge with flying colours, he will be in Ireland.
Else, Bumrah may very well play in Asia Cup directly.
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