Jasprit Bumrah, ace Indian pacer, has made terrific progress in his bid to return to international cricket as reports have stated that he is bowling regularly at the NCA and is now up to bowling 7 overs a day without any issues with his back.
This might be good news for the Indian team fans keeping in mind that the schedule for the 2023 World Cup was unveiled by the ICC on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.
Bumrah had undergone surgery for a recurring back niggle in New Zealand in March and since then he has been on the recovery path. Bumrah last played for India during the home T20Is against Australia in September 2022.
However, despite Bumrah upping his workload gradually at the NCA, sources have revealed that his return to the Indian team might not be that soon, despite hopes of him playing in the T20I series in Ireland in August.
"For an injury of this nature, it is not wise to set any timeline as constant monitoring is necessary. But it can be said that Bumrah is recovering well and he has bowled seven overs at NCA nets. It is a steady increase in his workload from the light workouts and bowling sessions of the initial period.
He will play a few practice matches (at NCA) next month, and there will be a close assessment of his fitness then," a source tracking the development told PTI.
Ramji Srinivasan, former strength and conditioning coach of Team India, said extreme care should be taken while bringing back Bumrah.
"He should not be hurried. Playing practice matches at the NCA is a good step as it will help tune his body to the demands of a match. But he should be made to play in some actual (domestic) matches before bringing him to top-level cricket.
The demands of international cricket are different and the body should be ready to take that amount of workload. Recovering from a stress fracture is a delicate exercise and Bumrah should be allowed maximum recovery time," Ramji told PTI.
KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, who have also been recuperating at NCA, are also progressing as expected, though no specific timeline has been set for their return as well. They are all practicing together along with Rishabh Pant, who is rehabbing his knee injury.
(PTI inputs)
