Jasprit Bumrah was expected to make his return to international cricket during the ODI series against Sri Lanka. He had been added to the squad after the BCCI confirmed his rehabilitation at the NCA was complete and he was deemed fit for the three games.
Jasprit Bumrah, who was included in the Indian squad for the ODI series against Sri Lanka, will not be making his comeback to international cricket. Earlier, Bumrah was added to the squad after the Board of Control for Cricket in India confirmed that the star pacer has completed his rehab at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and is fit to play in the three-match series against the Lankans.
Just before the series began, reports surfaced that the BCCI had opted to pull Bumrah from the squad. The decision, guided by the NCA, was made to ensure he is fully prepared for the more critical Test series on the horizon.
The BCCI clarified in a press release that Bumrah remained behind while the team headed to Guwahati, as he needs further conditioning to build up his bowling resilience. This is a cautious move, especially since a previous attempt to bring him back quickly for the Australia T20Is led to a relapse that cost him his spot in the T20 World Cup.
Having learned from that experience, the BCCI is now playing it safe to ensure the star bowler is 100% fit. The Senior Selection Committee hasn't named a substitute for him yet. The 29-year-old is now expected to lead the attack in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a four-match home Test series against Australia starting February 9.
Bumrah's presence will be vital for India in both the World Test Championship Final and the upcoming ODI World Cup later this year. Meanwhile, India takes on Sri Lanka in the first match today at 1:30 pm at the Barsapara Stadium.