Mumbai: As India prepare to take on Bangladesh on home turf, many important players are forced to miss out due to injuries or due to exertion. Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya are some of the biggest names missing out. But, perhaps the most crucial player for India missing out is pace-master Jasprit Bumrah.
All eyes have been on him ever since he suffered from a stress fracture in the lower back before the South Africa Tests in September. Bumrah, who is an integral part of Team India’s pace attack, has scalped 62 wickets in 12 Tests at an average of 19.24 but he is yet to play a Test match on Indian soil.
After his injury he had tweeted, “Injuries are part & parcel of the sport. Thank you for all your recovery wishes. My head is held high & I am aiming for a comeback that’s stronger than the setback.”
But now, it seems that Bumrah’s recovery is on track and he could be seen on the field as soon as the start of next year. A source disclosed this development to IANS. “He underwent assessment and his recovery is on track. Can expect him to be back in Indian colours in January and the Australia series could be the one,” the source said.
Although Jasprit Bumrah could be back for the Australia tour of India, management could look to rest him up and make his comeback stronger at the very important tour away at New Zealand where India will play two Tests, three ODIs and five T20Is.
The source pointed out the importance of Bumrah in New Zealand, “When you are playing in New Zealand, the bowling becomes all the more important. As you have seen in the past as well, it is more about taking 20 wickets there than scoring big hundreds. So, the team management was very clear that they are happy to wait and have him back at his best in time for the New Zealand tour.”
