Reports have emerged that the hopes of Indian cricket team to win ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai might see a downfall as it would take a “miracle” for Jasprit Bumrah to 100 per cent regain fitness. Pacer Bumrah, who has been suffering from a back injury since the 5th Test against Australia in Sydney, has been consulting with Dr. Rowan Schouten in New Zealand and is scheduled to visit the country for treatment before the Champions Trophy. However, the possibility of Bumrah recovering in time seems slim, prompting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to prepare a backup.
According to the report published in Times of India, selectors are preparing Harshit Rana and Mohammed Siraj as backup replacements in case Bumrah doesn’t regain full fitness. “The BCCI medical team is in touch with Schouten in New Zealand. The board had also planned a visit for Bumrah to New Zealand. But that hasn’t happened yet. The selectors know it will be a miracle if Bumrah turns up 100% fit in the given timeline,” a BCCI source told TOI.
Harshit, who is part of India’s ODI squad for the England series, could find himself in the Champions Trophy team if Bumrah doesn’t recover in time. Going by the reports, Bumrah will receive treatment under Dr. Schouten who had previously operated on him after he suffered an injury which made him miss the 2022 T20 World Cup.
“The reports will be shared with his doctor in New Zealand. The decision to send Bumrah to New Zealand will depend on the feedback. The board and Bumrah himself are not willing to push hard given his significance over a long period of time,” said a source.
Only after the entire recovery process is over, will he be decided upon by the selectors. “The selectors will only be informed if he is ready to take the field after the entire process is complete. The selectors will need to keep a backup plan ready for him. It will be a miracle if Bumrah makes it,” added the source.
Bumrah has been warned to refrain from rigorous physical exercise, and it is getting tougher for him to recover to play the Champions Trophy. The BCCI will not have too many choices left to make any changes to the selected team after February 11.