Bumrah’s availability for the Champions Trophy to be decided on February 11 in final call regarding his selection.
Bumrah’s availability for thee Champions Trophy to be decided on February 11th.
Recently, Bumrah underwent a back scan at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Before a decision is made, the medical staff of the BCCI will now consult with the selectors and the management of the India squad.
Although Bumrah was named in the Champions Trophy’s tentative 15-man roster on January 18, he has been unable to participate in India’s final ODI series against England before the competition starts on February 19. Instead, Bumrah has gone to Bengaluru, despite the expectation that he would be able to play the third ODI in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
Bumrah was not “likely to be fit for the first couple of games” in the England ODI series, according to information given by the BCCI medical team at the time, chief selector Ajit Agarkar stated in January when he announced the provisional selection for the Champions Trophy. Bumrah was “asked to offload for five weeks” from bowling, according to Agarkar, before having further back scans performed in the first week of February.
Since he was unable to bowl during Australia’s second innings of the Sydney Test in early January, Bumrah has not participated in a game. It is known that he needed to relax for five weeks due to a stress reaction in his back.
Harshit Rana, who participated in the first two ODIs against England, may be India’s replacement if they believe Bumrah won’t play in the Champions Trophy. However, India may decide to keep Bumrah in the 15 and replace him later, pending ICC consent, if there is a chance he will become available in the later stages of the competition. Any substitution after February 11 requires the technical committee of the tournament’s approval.
India, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Pakistan are all in Group A of the Champions Trophy. Since they were denied permission to visit Pakistan, the tournament’s official host, they will play all of their matches in Dubai.