Indian ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah‘s chances for participation in the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai have narrowed with a fresh update as reports suggest that the 31-year-old being 100% fit for the global event would require ‘a miracle’.
Bumrah suffered back spams during the final test against Australia in Sydney. The pace has reportedly been in touch with New Zealand doctor Dr Rowan Scouten in New Zealand and is also scheduled to visit the country for treatment ahead of the Champions Trophy.
It is reported that BCCI is preparing for a ‘backup’. “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,” said BCCI.
Harshit who had been named in India’s ODI squad for England could be considerd for selection for Champions Trophy side too if Bumrah doesn’t recover quickly. Dr. Schouten was the one who operated on Bumrah after the latter incurred an injury which saw him miss the 2022 T20 World Cup.
“The reports will be shared with his doctor in New Zealand. Sending 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,” the report quoted a source as saying.
“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,” the source further said.
Placed in Ground A along with Bangladesh, Pakistana nd New Zealand, India will begin their Champions Trophy Campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 at Dubai International Stadium.
