Jasprit Bumrah has gradually increased his workload at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), as he has been bowling seven overs per day 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.
Bumrah last played for India during the home T20Is against Australia in September 2022.
This is certainly good news for the Indian team fans, especially when it comes to important events like the Asia Cup 2023 and the World Cup 2023 coming up.
The schedule for the ICC World Cup 2023 was unveiled on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, and sees the tournament begin on October 5 onwards.
However, Bumrah, who last played any cricket in 2022 and missed the Asia Cup 2022, the T20 World Cup 2022, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 and the IPL 2023, might not be prime fitness to return for the Ireland T20Is as planned before.
“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.
India is scheduled to play three T20Is on their tour of Ireland and it was expected that Jasprit Bumrah might be given a chance to test himself out in the international arena in that series.
Jasprit Bumrah Should Not Be Hurried, Demands Of International Cricket Are Different: Ramji Srinivasan
However, former strength and conditioning coach of Team India, Ramji Srinivasan, who has worked closely with Jasprit Bumrah and was one of the notable reasons behind Hardik Pandya’s return to cricket, has cautioned against rushing the pacer back into international cricket.
“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 absolutely 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.