Jasprit Bumrah’s injury casts doubt on champions trophy participation, BCCI seeks ICC extension

Dhaka (The Uttam Hindu): Jasprit Bumrah’s injury has dealt a significant blow to India’s prospects in the upcoming Champions Trophy. The pacer had to withdraw from the fifth and final Test against Australia in Sydney due to back spasms. Initially believed to be a minor issue, Bumrah’s condition has turned out to be more serious, with reports confirming swelling on his back. As a result, he is unlikely to be fit in time for the tournament next month.

Bumrah, who played a key role in India’s triumph in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with 32 wickets, is currently at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for rehabilitation. His recovery will be closely monitored, and the situation has prompted the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to request an extension from the International Cricket Council (ICC) on the squad announcement deadline, which is today (January 12).

The BCCI selection committee is uncertain whether to include Bumrah in the 15-man squad or list him as a reserve player for the tournament in the UAE. There remains hope that Bumrah could regain his fitness in time for the knockout stages, which start after India’s final group match on March 2. The semi-finals are scheduled for March 4 and 5, with the final set for March 9.

While Bumrah’s injury is not a fracture, he is expected to undergo three weeks of rehabilitation at the NCA. Following this, he will need to play practice games to assess his match fitness. The BCCI could take a gamble by including him in the squad and hoping he will be fully fit by the semi-finals.