New Delhi: The Men in Blue will enter a crucial phase in their bid to stay alive in the ongoing World Test Championship 2025-27. They will face Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Australia in their remaining three Test series of the ongoing edition, aiming to qualify for the WTC final, which will be held at The Oval on June 9, 2027.
Ahead of the crucial stage, Indian captain and pacer Jasprit Bumrah are taking a cautious approach to regain full fitness. According to a Times of India (TOI) report, Bumrah will gradually start increasing his workload ahead of the upcoming , beginning on August 15.
Gill has consulted specialists outside the BCCI for help with his chronic neck issue. As per the report, the star pacer developed swelling in his knee before the series-deciding last ODI against England at Lord’s on June 19, but the Indian medical team is confident that Bumrah will be fit and ready for the first Test in Galle.
He hasn’t played much longer-format cricket since the second Test match against South Africa in Guwahati in November 2025. He was a regular member of the T20I side and has played just two ODI games in England last month. Bumrah is currently working on his fitness at the BCCI’s CoE.
A BCCI source told TOI that Bumrah will begin bowling this week, and his workload will be gradually increased. He further added that the pacer needs to get used to bowling longer spells again. The selectors have picked him for the Sri Lanka Test series subject to fitness.
“The medical team at CoE will be closely monitoring it, and the initial reports are that he should be good to start the first Test. These two Test matches are very important for India. Dropping even one Test here will put immense pressure on the team to qualify for the WTC final next year. That’s why the team management wants Bumrah to be available in prime shape for the series,” a BCCI source told TOI.
‘Gill is much better now’
According to the TOI report, the Indian captain has been consulting specialists to address the neck pain issue that first came up during the opening Test match against South Africa at Eden Gardens. He was ruled out of the remainder of the series due to the issue, and also missed an IPL game because of the recurring pain.
“Gill has been battling the neck pain for some time. It flares up every now and then, especially when he bats for a longer period. He has been consulting specialists outside BCCI for treatment and he is much better now. It’s an ongoing process. India felt his absence in that South Africa series. That’s why he has taken a cautious approach in addressing the chronic issue,” the TOI source added.
After the Sri Lanka series, India will play two Test matches against New Zealand and five against Australia.