Jasprit Bumrah [Source: Twitter]
Experienced Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah is slowly getting into the groove of making a return to international cricket, but the exact timeline of his comeback is still undecided. According to a report published in the Times of India, Bumrah sent down as many as seven overs at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) recently, and he is likely to feature in a few games at the academy in the upcoming days.
Bumrah has been out of action since last September after his back issues resurfaced. He subsequently missed the T20 World Cup and the entire home season and underwent successful surgery in New Zealand in March.
With him being India's prized asset in the bowling department, the BCCI is not looking to rush the champion seamer, given that the 50-over World Cup is on the horizon.
Former Indian strength and conditioning coach Ramji Srinivasan believes that extreme care should be taken before Bumrah is blooded back into the set-up, given the recurrent nature of his injury. He also stated that Jasprit should play a few domestic matches before returning to top-level cricket.
"For an injury of this nature, it is not wise to set any timeline as constant monitoring is necessary. but it can be said that bumrah is recovering well and he has bowled seven overs at nca nets. it is a steady increase in his workload from the light workouts and bowling sessions of the initial period. "he will play a few practice matches (at nca) next month, and there will be a close assessment of his fitness then," Ramji told PTI.
"He should not be hurried. Playing practice matches at the NCA is a good step as it will help tune his body to the demands of a match. But he should be made to play in some actual (domestic) matches before bringing him to top-level cricket. The demands of international cricket are different and the body should be absolutely ready to take that amount of workload. Recovering from a stress fracture is a delicate exercise and Bumrah should be allowed maximum recovery time," he added.
Whether Bumrah will return for the Asia Cup still remains a mystery. India will hope that their premier pacer comes all guns firing as and when he returns.
 "Yash Mittal")
