Jasprit Bumrah, India pacer is most likely to miss the entire white-ball series against England due to his back injury. Notably, the pacer had bowled only 10 over in the fifth and final BGT 2024 Test in Sydney, before going off to the hospital due to back issues.
Though Bumrah's ailment was described as a 'back spasm' when he left the field for the hospital on Day 2 of the Test, the issue is expected to keep him out for an extended amount of time.
According to reports, while Bumrah is expected to miss the full white-ball assignment against England, which includes 5 T20Is and 3 ODIs, his participation in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy is also at risk.
Notably, Bumrah had previously missed an entire year from July 2022 to August 2023 due to a stress fracture in the back. He missed the IPL 2023 and the T20 World Cup 2022 in the process, only making his comeback for the Ireland series and then the Asia Cup in 2023.
The BCCI selectors are not keen on letting that happen once again and are not willing to risk the pacer’s health for the England series. Despite his injury troubles, Bumrah is projected to make India's Champions Trophy roster, however, his participation will be conditional.
According to RevSportz, if Bumrah is to be included in the Indian team in the ICC event, the team management must obtain medical permission from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) staff.
Some other players who have been out of action for a long, like Mohammad Shami and Kuldeep Yadav, are also being monitored for a possible comeback in international cricket.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, among batters, is set to be selected in India's ODI squad, and T20 lineup against England, however as a back up opener only.
Rohit Sharma is slated to skipper the team alongside Shubman Gil. Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer will bat third and fourth, respectively. KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant are now battling for the wicketkeeper position, and despite his good performances, Sanju Samson is not a serious candidate.
Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav are anticipated to constitute the spin three, with Washington Sundar also likely to be chosen by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel. Hardik Pandya will be a sure-shot selection in the Indian squad, but the inclusion of spinner Varun Chakravarthy depends on how much confidence selectors have in his ability to bowl 10 overs in an ODI.
Mohammed Siraj is expected to be rested for the T20I series against England but will be included in the ODI series and the Champions Trophy. Along with Siraj, Arshdeep Singh is also expected to be picked in Ithe CC Champions Trophy squad.
