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Jasprit Bumrah reportedly has a swelling in his back and has been advised bed rest for the near future.
Jasprit Bumrah. (AP Photo)
Jasprit Bumrah has reportedly been advised bed rest until the swelling in his back subsides, in what would come as a massive blow to India’s hopes of seeing the premier fast-bowler back for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
According to The Times of India, Bumrah returned home from Australia last week and is supposed to visit the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s Centre of Excellence (formerly, the NCA). However, a date for his visit hasn’t been set, which makes it difficult to set a timeline for his recovery.
“Bumrah could go to the CoE next week but right now there is no fixed date yet. He has been advised bed rest at home to help the muscles recover and the swelling to subside. Once that is done, future course of action will be ascertained,” Times of India quoted a source as saying.
The exact diagnosis of the injury is still unclear. However, the hope is that the injury is nothing more serious than swelling.
“Bed rest doesn’t sound good. I hope it’s not a disc bulge or a muscle swelling which is of a higher grade. The approach has to be similar with him – wrap him in cotton wool and preserve the talent like him,” the cited source added in the report.
Bumrah picked up the injury after carrying the extra workload of the inexperienced Indian attack in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. He couldn’t bowl in the final innings of the last Test in Sydney and was seen going out of the Syndey Cricket Ground (SCG) for treatment during the match.
The report also quoted former India strength and conditioning coach Ramji Srinivasan. According to him, swelling in back isn’t as serious as a ‘disc bulge’, which might rule the pacer out for a longer time.
“Swelling happens if there is a tear because of edema formation – which depends on the grade of tear in the muscle. If it’s a disc bulge or swelling then recovery also depends on grade, individual capacity, medical intervention and post medical rehab work,” says Srinivasan.
India are yet to announce their provisional squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The final list needs to be submitted by February 13.
