The good news is coming from Jasprit Bumrah’s end as he was spotted bowling seven overs in a day at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) nets, as per a PTI report. This is a huge development that will bring smiles to the Indian fans who are expecting Bumrah to take part in the 2023 World Cup. The schedule for the mega event was released in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Bumrah went through surgery after sustaining a back niggle in New Zealand in March and since then he has been on the road to recovery. The last time Bumrah played for India was during the home T20Is against Australia in September 2022.
"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.
According to sources, Bumrah will be playing a few practice matches in the coming month.
"He will play a few practice matches (at NCA) next month, and there will be a close assessment of his fitness then," a source tracking the development told PTI.
Former strength and conditioning coach of Team India Ramji Srinivasan said that intensive care should be taken while bringing back Bumrah.
"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 stress fracture is a delicate exercise and Bumrah should be allowed maximum recovery time," Ramji told PTI.