India are sweating over the fitness of Bumrah ahead of the Champions Trophy.
The right-arm quick has been dealing with a back issue since the fifth and final BGT Test against Australia in Sydney last month.
While Bumrah has been named in India's Champions Trophy squad, his participation in the showpiece tournament depends on clearing fitness tests.
Meanwhile, a report published in Hindustan Times claims the fast bowler has resumed bowling in the nets at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru and is gradually increasing his bowling workload under the observation of BCCI’s fitness experts.
The deadline to finalize the CT squads is Tuesday (February 11) midnight, after which a replacement player will need the approval of the ICC technical team.
“Bumrah has begun bowling after undergoing scans on his back in Bengaluru. He has been slowly increasing his bowling workload, initially bowling two overs at a go, then three and now four. It’s still not clear if he would be fit and there is time to trial him in a practice match in Bengaluru itself, before the India team leave for Dubai on February 15,” the report stated.
During the press conference in Mumbai last month, chief selector Ajit Agarkar shared an update on Bumrah's projected return as he suggested that the physio has asked him to cut his workload for at least five weeks and the medical team will evaluate him in early February to get more clarity on his availability for Champions Trophy.
"Bumrah has been told to off-load for five weeks after and he won't be available for the first two ODIs against England. We are waiting on his fitness and will know his status in early February from the medical team. We'll probably find out a bit more around that time, what exactly, and with regards to what his medical condition is, I'm sure BCCI might just put something out, from the physio itself," Agarkar had said.
It’s certain that Bumrah will miss the third ODI against England in Ahmedabad on Wednesday (February 12). If he goes on to miss the early part of the Champions Trophy, such a move will not be without precedent.
Australia had picked Travis Head in the 2023 ODI World Cup squad even when he was recovering from a broken hand. The southpaw went on to play a crucial role in the knockout rounds, helping Australia clinch the coveted title.
India will open their Champions Trophy campaign on February 20 against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
(With Hindustan Times inputs)