Indian pace sensation Jasprit Bumrah will be out of action this year, due to his treatment for the minor stress fracture in the lower back he suffered in September.
Along with the upcoming three T20Is and two Tests against Bangladesh, the speedster will miss the three ODIs, three T20Is, and one Test match against the West Indies.
The Indian team management is being cautious with their prized asset and wants to ensure that Bumrah gets adequate rest to be ready for the forthcoming overseas tours. Team India will travel to New Zealand in February for a full-fledged trip before the Indian Premier League (IPL) starts in March.
“His rehabilitation is going along expected lines. Stress fractures are complicated to deal with, but since it was spotted on time and Bumrah got adequate rest, there is nothing serious,” sources told The New Indian Express.
“The Bangladesh Tests are still a month away, and he will be fit by then. But there are important assignments next year. The idea is to make it smooth for Bumrah. When he is back, he should be at his absolute best,” they added.
The 25-year-old, who is currently undergoing a rehabilitation process, is expected to make his return to international cricket in the ODI series against Australia that begins on January 14, 2020.
Bumrah’s absence will also be an opportunity for the other fast bowlers on the fringes of the national set-up ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia next year.
India have many promising fast bowlers in reserve with the likes of Deepak Chahar, Khaleel Ahmed, Navdeep Saini, looking to sneak into the team ahead of senior bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, and Umesh Yadav.
