The Indian head coach, Rahul Dravid has confirmed that the team management is playing the waiting game on the fitness update of Jasprit Bumrah. The right-arm fast bowler has been ruled out of the ongoing three-match T20I series against South Africa due to a stres fracture in his back an now he has been racing against time to attain full fitness before the T20 World Cup in Australia starting in a couple of weeks’ time. In the current scenario, the premier Indian pacer is going through a rehab at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, under the guidance of BCCI’s medical staff.
Talking about Bunrah ahead of the second T20I against South Africa, as quited in Hindustan Times, Rahul Dravid said, “So as of now, (Bumrah) officially has been ruled out, as you know, from this series against South Africa. He has gone to the NCA. And we are waiting for the official confirmation on the next steps. So, as of now officially he is only out of this series, but we’ll see what happens over the next few days. And, and once we get some official confirmation, then we’ll be able to share that.”
The pace spearhead was supposed to undergo scans at the NCA. When asked if the the medical reports are showing any serious concern, Rahul Dravid barred from revealing much. The former India captain, however, said that they are hoping Bumrah regains his full fitness before the world event.
Talking about the medical reports, Rahul Dravid said, “I honestly haven’t gone deeply into the medical reports. I mean, I rely on the experts to tell me what is happening. He is being assessed. And we’ll know in due course, whether he’s what happens in the future. And obviously, till he is completely ruled out till I get official confirmation that he is ruled out, we will always be hopeful. We will always hope for the best not just for us as a team, but also just as individuals, we will always hope for the best for the remainder of the matches.”
Jasprit Bumrah made a comeback to international cricket after a long gap in the Australia series. He bowled two overs in the rain-curtailed 8-overs-a-side match in Nagpur and then bowled his full quota in the series decider in Hyderabad. Bumrah also travelled with the team to Trivandrum for the series opener against South Africa but had to go back after he felt discomfort in his back.
Mohammed Siraj has replaced Bunrah in the squad for the remaining T20Is against the Proteas and he is also expected to fly down under along with Umran Malik as injury cover for Bumrah.
India are slated to leave for Perth on October 6 for the marquee ICC event. It is more or less certain that Bumrah won’t travel with the team then but it is likely that he will travel to Australia later.
