A severe blow to India’s chances of winning back the Champions Trophy has struck, as star pacer Jasprit Bumrah is likely to miss the group-stage matches. He suffered back spasms during the Sydney Test last week, have not yet healed. Bumrah, who has had previous back issues, was expected to play a key role in India’s campaign. The report by Indian Express says that he is suffering with swelling on the back and was advised to attend the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for better evaluation and recuperation.

Jasprit Bumrah’s Injury Concerns & Future In Champions Trophy

Champions Trophy will have the world’s top eight teams playing in ODI format. The tournament will begin from February 19 wherein matches would take place in Karachi, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Dubai. The selection committee which is headed by Ajit Agarkar met in Mumbai on January 11 to decide the squad for the T20I series to be played against England in later this month. They are apprised of the injury report of Bumrah. While the last date to send in the final list of players is January 12, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has asked for some extra time. Selectors are now arguing whether Bumrah should be in the final list of 15 or whether he should stay in the reserve list. The BCCI will present a tentative squad to the ICC, and as changes can be made till February 12, selectors have the time to reconsider Bumrah’s fitness status before the event starts.

What Does The Report Say?

“He (Bumrah) will be going to NCA for his rehabilitation. The initial report says he does not have a fracture but has swelling on his back. So the NCA will monitor his recovery and he will be there for three weeks. But even after that, he will have to play a match or two, even if they are practice games organised to check his match fitness,” a source told The Indian Express.