Bumrah has been dealing with a back issue since the Sydney Test earlier this month.
Bumrah has been dealing with a back issue since the fifth and final BGT Test against Australia in Sydney earlier this month. The Indian pace spearhead has reportedly been in touch with Dr. Rowan Schouten in New Zealand and is also scheduled to visit the country for treatment ahead of the Champions Trophy.
However, the chances of him being 100% fit for the showpiece tournament are slim. Hence, the BCCI is preparing a 'backup'.
According to a TOI report, the selectors are looking to prepare Harshit Rana and Mohammed Siraj as 'backup' for Bumrah if the strike fast bowler fails to recover in time for the Champions Trophy.
"The BCCI medical team is in touch with Schouten in New Zealand. The board had also planned a visit for Bumrah to New Zealand. But that hasn't happened yet. The selectors know it will be a miracle if Bumrah turns up 100% fit in the given timeline," a BCCI source told TOI.
Harshit, who is a part of India's squad for the upcoming England ODI series, could be drafted into the Champions Torphy side as well if Bumrah doesn't regain fitness quickly.
Dr. Schouten was the one who operated on Bumrah after the latter sustained a recurring back injury in 2022, which kept him out of action for almost a year.
"The reports will be shared with his doctor in New Zealand. Sending Bumrah to New Zealand will depend on the feedback. The board and Bumrah himself are not willing to push hard given his significance over a long period of time," the report quoted a source as saying.
"The selectors will only be informed if he is ready to take the field after the entire process is complete. The selectors will need to keep a backup plan ready for him. It will be a miracle if Bumrah makes it," the source further said.
Bumrah has been asked to refrain from any rigorous physical activity, making it difficult for him recover in time for the Champions Trophy. The BCCI can make changes to India's squad until February 11.
(With TOI Inputs)