New Delhi: Ace Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah’s availability for the Indian men’s team in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy remains to be a question. The cricketer hasn’t been in action after being ruled out in the middle of the Sydney Test owing to back spasm.
Bumrah, who was the stand-in captain for India in the Sydney match, underwent scans on the second day, and wasn’t available to bowl in the second innings, though he came out to bat.
On January 18, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief selector Ajit Agarkar named Bumrah in the preliminary 15-member squad with subject to fitness clearance. At the time of announcing the squad, Agarkar did mention that the BCCI medical team’s assessment believed that Bumrah wasn’t fit to play for the first two ODI matches in the England series.
Potential Replacements for Bumrah in the Indian Squad
Bumrah was expected to return to the team for the final ODI match in Ahmedabad (his home venue). However, that possibility won’t materialise anymore.
According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the Indian fast bowler has had a scan on his back at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru in the recent times. The Indian team management will take a call on Bumrah’s availability for Champions Trophy on Tuesday (February 11), which is also the final day for all teams to submit their finalised squads for the eight-team tournament.
In case Bumrah won’t be available to feature in the ICC tournament then the team can think about including Delhi speedster Harshit Rana, who has played the first two ODI matches against England in the ongoing bilateral series.
India are part of Group A in the Champions Trophy along with Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand. The Men in Blue will start their campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20. All of the matches of the Indian team will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Jasprit Bumrah’s participation in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy remains uncertain due to a back injury. He’s undergone scans and his fitness is being assessed by the BCCI. A decision on his inclusion in the squad is expected on February 11th. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
