India pacer Jasprit Bumrah is reportedly recovering well after undergoing surgery for his back issues in New Zealand recently. If reports are to be believed the BCCI is in no rush to bring him back to competitive cricket, with an eye on his participation in the ODI World Cup 2023.
It is expected that the World Cup 2023, which begins on October 5, will see a fully fit Jasprit Bumrah playing for the Indian team. This is also because the focus is on the longevity of the bowler’s career and not immediate gains.
Bumrah had injured his back in the ODI series in England and went for rehab in NCA. He missed the Asia Cup 2022 and made his return against Australia in September 2022 and after playing 2 T20Is, complained of back pain.
Scans revealed a stress reaction to his lower back, which ruled him out of the T20 World Cup 2023, and a decision to have surgery also made him miss the Australia series at home and will also miss the IPL 2023.
The 2023 World Cup is less than six months away, and none of the involved parties, including the Indian management, the BCCI, his IPL side Mumbai Indians, and the medical staff overseeing Bumrah's rehabilitation, want to take any chances with his fitness.
“He will break down”- Shoaib Akhtar says Jasprit Bumrah’s action is not sustainable
Therefore it has been decided that the 29-year-old will not be considered for the fixtures preceding the 50-over marquee event.
“We are not looking at the next four-five months; our goal is the next four-five years. Everyone is on the same page with regard to Bumrah. No one wants to take any chance now with him. He will not be rushed for any matches before the World Cup. That is the one and only goal for Bumrah right now. He will undergo long rehab and we are confident he will be fit in time for the World Cup,” a source told News18 CricketNext.
For the BCCI, the full fitness of Bumrah is paramount keeping in mind the ODI World Cup and the next cycle of the World Test Championship.
“Who wouldn’t want Bumrah to play all cricket for India this year? Everyone does but we need to be practical in our approach and do what is best for Bumrah and Indian cricket. All we want is to have him complete the rehab and not be distracted by any other thoughts. We have already entered crucial few years for Indian cricket and the next cycle of WTC continues to hold a lot of importance,” says an official aware of the plan laid out for Bumrah.
News18 CricketNext also reported that the Indian board has learnt its lesson in trying to bring back Bumrah earlier than it was needed to against Australia in September last year and now no such measure will be adopted for Bumrah now and he will continue with his rehabilitation without any comeback noise.
A proper roadmap, dominated by a lot of rest and rehab, has been laid out and the seamer will be under pressure from none of the stakeholders to “rush”.
"It tends to end careers"- Mohammad Amir on Jasprit Bumrah's back injury
“The good news is that he has undergone a successful surgery and will now be taking one step at a time and easing into proper bowling fitness. There is no race or rush from any of the stakeholders and everyone wants a fit-again Bumrah back on the field in Indian colors,” the official tracking developments added.
Bumrah’s unusual action, which puts a lot of stress on his back, was expected to injure him seriously at some point in his career and it has happened now when he has time on his side and it is expected that the 29-year-old would hope to return stronger and serve Indian cricket for a long time.
(News18 CricketNext report)
