Image: Jasprit Bumrah arrived at the National Cricket Academy for medical evaluation / © India Today
In the latest update on Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness, the Indian pacer has reached Bengaluru for medical scans and further assessment at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Bumrah, 31, was included in India’s Champions Trophy squad but his availability for the tournament depends on the results of these evaluations. He is expected to remain at the NCA for two to three days while the BCCI medical team reviews his condition before submitting their observations to the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar.
During a press conference last month, Agarkar revealed that Bumrah was advised to “off-load” for five weeks following the Sydney Test. As a result, he was ruled out of the first two ODIs against England. The selectors now have just over a week to finalize India’s 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy, and if Bumrah is not deemed fit, Harshit Rana, who is in the ODI squad for England, could replace him.
Meanwhile, the Indian team has already begun preparations for the Champions Trophy with a short camp in Nagpur before the England ODI series. The squad is scheduled to leave for Dubai on February 15, where they will stay for the duration of the tournament, including the semi-finals and final if they progress.