India generally avoids playing Jasprit Bumrah in every series to minimize the risk of injury to their pace bowling leader. However, during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, Bumrah faced an extra workload. The 30-year-old fast bowler bowled a total of 150 overs across 9 innings in five Tests. This heavy burden took its toll, and by the last Test in Sydney, Bumrah suffered an injury due to a back strain, which kept him from bowling in the second innings.
This month, India will be playing a five-match T20 series at home against England, followed by a three-match ODI series. After these series, India will begin preparing for the Champions Trophy, which kicks off on February 19 in Pakistan and the UAE, with India’s first match scheduled the following day. To manage Bumrah’s fitness, India is considering resting him during the T20 series against England and may even keep him out of the entire ODI series.
Bumrah, who took 32 wickets in the series against Australia, is reported to have suffered a Grade 1 injury, which usually requires 2-3 weeks to recover. If the injury is Grade 2, he could be sidelined for up to 6 weeks, and a Grade 3 injury could require at least three months of rehabilitation.
Typically, India does not play Bumrah in bilateral T20 series unless it’s a World Cup year. However, since the upcoming Champions Trophy is a 50-over tournament, India intends to have Bumrah play at least one or two ODIs against England, depending on his fitness.
