Jasprit Bumrah asked to prepare for 3 Tests vs Australia, WTC 2023 final and ODI World Cup- Report

Bumrah was pulled out of SL ODIs after stiffness in back.

By Jatin Sharma - 10 Jan, 2023

Ace India pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been in news recently after he was pulled out of the recent ODI series against Sri Lanka, despite being named in the Indian squad for the same. This came after he complained of stiffness in his back while practicing for the ODIs.

This series was going to mark his comeback after being ruled out of action since last September due to a back injury. Bumrah got injured after the tour of England last July and his return was hampered by playing two T20Is against Australia in September.

Reports have suggested that BCCI wants to be ultra-cautious with Bumrah and made an exception by letting him decide his comeback match.

"Bumrah has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. Bumrah, who was set to join the team in Guwahati ahead of the ODI series, will need some more time to build bowling resilience. This decision has been taken as a precautionary measure," BCCI said in a statement on Monday.

The Times of India has reported that BCCI has been in touch with Bumrah and he has been given the assurance that he will not be rushed back like it was done before the T20 World Cup.

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"It's his body and Bumrah is the best judge of it. He was named in the squad but it was never imposed on him that he must play this series. It has been left to him to decide if he is absolutely ready to go full throttle in an international game," a BCCI source said.

Sources said that the board, team management, and selectors are not bothered if Bumrah doesn't play around the year as they want him fit for crucial events.

"As things stand now, he has been told that the team needs him for the Test series at home against Australia next month. He has been asked to prepare himself to play at least three Tests against Australia, be available for the World Test Championship Final in June if India qualify, and then the ODI World Cup in India in Oct-Nov this year. A few ODI matches before the World Cup can also suffice," the source said.

Though BCCI had issued a diktat that players will have to come through domestic cricket if they are to make themselves available for Team India, the source said that Bumrah is an exception to that ruling.

"Bumrah is an exception. He is too good a bowler and doesn't need much time to hit his stride. Opponents are always wary of him. He will be played only if he feels 100 percent about himself," the source added.

(Times of India report)

By Jatin Sharma - 10 Jan, 2023

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