The biggest talking point around India’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy is the availability of India’s bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who is currently recovering from a back injury he suffered during the five-Test tour of Australia.
Bumrah, who shared the bulk of bowling load in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, had a remarkable series where he tormented the Australian batters throughout before being sidelined in the home team’s second innings during the final Test at Sydney.
For his 32 wickets at a staggering average of 13.06, Bumrah was declared the ‘Player of the Series’; but the tour ended with a blow for India with his injury.
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Talking about it briefly in a video on his YouTube channel, former Pakistan batter Basit Ali said the chances of Bumrah making it to India’s squad for the Champions Trophy are minimal.
“Bumrah ka dekhenge (kya) announcement hoti hai…, mera khayal hai dus percent chance hai (let’s see what the announcement is around Bumrah; I think he has a 10 percent chance),” said Basit.
The deadline for announcing the squad for Champions Trophy is January 12.
Talking about the nature of Bumrah’s injury, former India trainer Ramji Srinivasan said the outcome and recovery period depends on whether it’s just spasms or a stress fracture.
“I agree that if it is only spasms, he should be fit. In fact, he might be feeling all right even before he boarded the flight back home. But I am not so sure about it (the exact nature of injury),” Sinivasan told TOI.
“The injury is related to stress, which is a direct result of playing too much cricket. If it is anything between a Grade 1 to Grade 3 injury related to stress fracture, it can take up to one to six months of recovery,” he added.
Before the Champions Trophy, which will run from February 19 to March 9, India will host England for a five-match series of T20Is from January 22 to February 2. It will be followed by three ODIs from February 6 to 12.
