Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah’s comeback into international cricket is still uncertain, as the selectors and the team management are awaiting clearance from NCA to pick him up for the forthcoming T20 series against Ireland starting on August 18.
In order to keep Bumrah healthy for the 2023 ODI World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in October-November of this year, NCA and the team’s medical staff reportedly working hard to get him fit for the mega event. It is also generally anticipated that he will be included in the Indian team for their next three-match T20I series in Ireland, but it is not confirmed as per reports.
According to the reports in PTI, Jasprit Bumrah needs to prove his fitness coming ahead to International cricket and reckons that he has not fully ready to play the game, as he was not named in the West Zone squad for the Deodhar Trophy.
“There used to be an unwritten rule that if someone’s coming back from a long lay-off due to an injury, he needs to play some domestic cricket to prove his fitness. I guess NCA and the selection committee have made an exemption for him since he is not a part of the West Zone squad for Deodhar Trophy games”.
“Also it means that, till now, he is not match-ready or else he would have played one Deodhar game, Before the Ireland selection meeting, the NCA physio will update Agarkar and Co with the fitness report of all the players. If physio’s report states that Bumrah, apart from bowling four overs, will also be able to field 16 overs and subsequently 40 overs (in ODIs) with full intensity, he will be selected”.
Jasprit Bumrah Might Need To Do A Lot Of Work In The Deep
The 29-year-old has gradually increased his workload at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), as he has been bowling 8-10 overs under the watchful eyes of NCA head VVS Laxman as per reports. Bumrah had undergone surgery for a recurring back niggle in New Zealand in March and since then he has been on the recovery path.
“As per the latest information, the panel hasn’t received a green light from them, The selectors won’t just see bowling fitness, they would also take into account if he is in a position to field in humid conditions in Sri Lanka during the Asia Cup. He might need to do a lot of work in the deep. So it is not just about 7-8 overs of bowling in the nets.”
According to sources in NCA, Bumrah is making good progress and may very well be at his peak fitness when he returns to the blues. The decision to include them in the Ireland tour will be based on his body fitness in the upcoming days. The Right arm pacer has been India’s best bowler across all three formats since his debut for the Men in Blue and would be a key player for the Indian team in Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup 2023.