Team India’s hopes of winning the ICC Champions Trophy to be hosted by Pakistan-UAE have suffered a major setback. According to a report, Jasprit Bumrah is unlikely to be fully fit for the Champions Trophy. Bumrah has been suffering from a back injury since the fifth and final Test against Australia played in Sydney. India will play its matches in the Champions Trophy in the UAE. It has refused to send the team to Pakistan due to security reasons.
Jasprit Bumrah may go to New Zealand
The report quoted a BCCI source as saying, “The BCCI medical team is in touch with Rowan Schouten in New Zealand. The board has also planned Bumrah’s tour of New Zealand. But this tour has not happened yet. The selectors know that it would be a miracle if he becomes 100 percent fit in the given time.” Apart from this, the source was quoted as saying, “His report will be shared with the doctor in New Zealand.
The decision to send Bumrah to New Zealand will depend on the feedback. Given his long-term importance, the board and Bumrah himself are not willing to insist too much. If he is ready after the process is completed, the selectors will be informed. The selectors will have to keep a backup plan ready for him. If Bumrah does this, it will be a miracle.”
Will it be a miracle?
According to the Times of India report, the selectors are preparing Harshit Rana and Mohammad Siraj as Bumrah’s ‘backup’. If Bumrah is not fit for the Champions Trophy, then one of these two players can be given a chance. A BCCI source told the Times of India, “The BCCI medical team is in touch with Shooton in New Zealand. The board had also planned a New Zealand tour for Bumrah. But that has not happened yet. The selectors know that if Bumrah becomes 100% fit within the stipulated time frame, it will be a miracle.
