Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian team speedster, is expected to be rested for the majority of the upcoming limited overs series at home against England, that starts January 22. This is to keep him fit and refreshed for the ICC Champions Trophy that begins on February 19.

Jasprit Bumrah won the Player of the Series for his 32 wickets in 5 Tests in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia. However, in the fifth and final Test, Bumrah broke down in the first innings with back spasms and had to go for scans in hospital and didn’t take further part in the match in Sydney.

The 30-year-old Bumrah bowled over 150 overs during the series. The ailment is directly related to his heavy exertion in the series, and the BCCI medical staff will endeavor to ensure the new Test captain is prepared for the ICC showpiece, where his presence is critical to India's chances.

According to those close to the situation, the severity of Bumrah's back spasm has not yet been determined. India will begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai.

If Bumrah's injury is grade 1, he will need at least two to three weeks of rehabilitation before returning to play (RTP). Grade 2 injuries can take up to six weeks to heal from, and Grade 3 injuries, which are the most severe, require at least three months of rest and rehabilitation.

India will play 5 T20Is and 3 ODIs against England to get some practice before the Champions Trophy 2025.

It was always expected that Bumrah would not play the T20I bilateral series because this is not a World Cup year, but with the Champions Trophy approaching, he would have played at least two, if not three, ODIs against England due to the 50-over format.

However, the severity of his injury will determine whether Bumrah plays the England series at all, or at least the last match on February 12 at his home stadium in Ahmedabad to test his fitness.

(India Today inputs)