New Delhi: BCCI has put in all its efforts to get fast bowler Jaspreet Bumrah fit on time. A team of 3 specialists at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru is constantly working on Bumrah’s fitness.
A senior board official told PTI, ‘Strength and conditioning coach Rajnikant Sivagnanam, physio Tulsi Ram Yuvraj are working on Bumrah’s rehabilitation along with sports science head Dr. Nitin Patel. Patel himself is monitoring the entire process. National team’s strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai and physio Kamlesh Jain are also being informed about this.’
ICC has set the last date for team changes as 11 February. Before this, all the boards have to send their final teams. Indian selectors also have to take a decision on whether Bumrah will play or not, which depends on his fitness.
If there is even a 1% chance, BCCI will wait
A source told TOI, “If there is even a 1% chance of Bumrah being fit, then BCCI can wait. The board did the same with Hardik Pandya in the 2023 ODI World Cup as they waited for almost two weeks before bringing in Prasidh Krishna as a replacement.
The Indian team was announced on January 18, injured Bumrah also got a place
India’s selection committee announced the Indian team for the Champions Trophy on January 18. Injured Jaspreet Bumrah was also included in the team. The selection committee kept Arshdeep Singh as Bumrah’s backup.
If Bumrah is not fit in time, then BCCI can directly nominate Harshit Rana in his place. The team will wait till the last minute for Bumrah for the Champions Trophy.
Bumrah was injured during the Australia tour
Bumrah was injured during the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. He had a back problem. Due to this, he was also rested for the T20 series against England. However, he has been selected for the third ODI against England to be held in Ahmedabad on January 12.