Former Indian cricketer Saba Karim has urged the Indian team selectors and management to be extremely cautious with the fitness of the Indian Speedster Jasprit Bumrah, who is likely to return to the Indian team after a long-standing injury. The 29-year-old has not played any form of competitive since September 2022.
Having made his international debut in 2016, Jasprit Bumrah has been the leader of the Indian bowling attack in all three formats of the games. However, he has been laid low by injuries and fitness issues over the last few years missing out few important games for India.
Speaking at the Jiocinema, Saba Karim shed light on the recovery process of the Indian pacer from the injury, where he would be working alongside the NCA support staff to achieve his full fitness before coming into the Indian team and reckons with World Cup in mind, the Indian team management needs to be extra careful to get match fit by playing him in full practice games at the NCA.
“The decisions are taken by the NCA support staff. The system is pretty clear that any centrally contracted player goes to NCA and the rehab process starts. Right now, Bumrah is undergoing rehab at the NCA along with Prasidh Krishna.
“This time around, keeping the World Cup in mind, not only the BCCI but also the selectors and NCA support staff have to be extremely cautious. That is why even though he is match fit; they want him to play some of these NCA practice matches,” Saba Karim said.
He missed the 2022 Asia Cup in UAE, the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia, and the recent World Test Championship final in England. The right-arm pacer is reportedly targeting a return during the 2023 World Cup on home soil in October-November.
They Are Trying To Get Him Ready For The Ireland Series – Saba Karim
Saba Karim said that the NCA support staff feels that it would be better if Jasprit Bumrah plays some practice games before being selected for the Indian team and revealed that the NCA staff are trying to get him ready for the Ireland series starting in August.
“Right now, the NCA support staff feels that it is better if they organize some practice matches for him so that slowly, he can be eased into the national setup. Maybe they are trying to get him ready for the Ireland series,” Saba Karim added.
According to various reports, 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.