Team India’s star lead bowler Jasprit Bumrah will miss the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka starting August 15 in Galle due to a left knee injury.
This is a major setback for captain Shubman Gill and the Indian team. Bumrah had just returned to international cricket last month after playing in the T20 World Cup in March, but his knee injury has flared up again.
Who else is missing from the squad?
Four more players like Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Akash Deep will also miss the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka due to injuries. Indian captain Shubman Gill expressed concern stating that it will be tough for the team to build momentum ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup if key players keep getting injured.
What did captain Shubman Gill have to say?
After losing a three-match ODI series 2-1 in England, Indian captain Shubman Gill said the team must be doing something wrong if players get injured after almost every game. He added that it is worrying if players cannot even finish a short two or three-match series, especially with a major ICC tournament approaching where a team might have to play at least 11 matches.
Is the BCCI scrutinizing the medical staff?
According to a report by Times of India, the BCCI is planning to review the work of the team’s medical and fitness staff, including team doctor Rizwan Khan and head physiotherapist Kamlesh Jain. Questions are being asked about Kamlesh Jain’s performance, as well as the recent change in fitness coaches from Soham Desai to Adrian le Roux.
How serious is Jasprit Bumrah’s latest setback?
According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, Jasprit Bumrah went straight to Bengaluru’s Centre of Excellence for fitness tests after returning from England. The BCCI medical team reportedly warned him that if he starts bowling right away, he could end up sidelined from international cricket for a very long time.