India could be dealt a significant blow ahead of their World Cup 2023 campaign as pacer Jasprit Bumrah could miss the tournament. Due to a back ailment, the top pacer hasn’t participated in competitive cricket since September 2022.
Since then Bumrah hasn’t played, in the Australian T20 World Cup in 2022 as well as the home series against South Africa. If India qualifies, the 29-year-old will also miss the final of the World Test Championship.
Moreover, the Indian speedster will also be missed in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Given the most recent developments, Bumrah’s participation in the ODI World Cup is uncertain. The latest reports indicates that the 29-year-old could be out for at least six months.
His lower back aches keep coming back and thus his return keep getting delayed. Therefore, the BCCI medical team has suggested surgery to make sure he recovers in time for the major ICC event.
Bumrah could be out of the 2023 World Cup squad
This would also imply that the pacer would probably not be included on the team for the Asia Cup. The 2023 Asia Cup is scheduled to take place in September 2023, which will be hosted in Pakistan and UAE.
“Bumrah has been ruled out of the IPL as he will take another six months to come back. Even then, he might or might not make a comeback. The 50-over World Cup is the target, but that is also not guaranteed,”
the BCCI source was quoted as saying by India Today.
Bumrah recently endured match-simulation workouts at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru as he prepared for his eagerly anticipated return to competitive cricket. He went through the procedure to get approval from the NCA to compete in games beginning with the IPL.
The NCA medical staff, according to the most recent sources, thinks surgery would be the best line of action. The BCCI will quickly decide the following measures and may make a formal announcement regarding the pacer.
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