Image: Jasprit Bumrah trends online as medical team confirms knee injury forces him out of squad / © Cricinfo
As the Indian team prepares for the two Test matches against Sri Lanka, it will have to manage without Jasprit Bumrah after the fast bowler was ruled out because of a left knee injury. The 32-year-old picked up the injury during the second ODI against England last month and has not recovered fully despite undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Although he was initially included in the squad subject to a fitness clearance, persistent discomfort forced the selectors to withdraw him from the series. Bumrah had already been rested for the one-off Test against Afghanistan in June as part of his workload management plan. Since suffering a back injury during the 2024- 25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, India has carefully monitored his appearances. He also played only 3 of the 5 Tests in England last year before being rested again after IPL 2026.
His absence is another setback for India’s Test side, which is rebuilding after mixed performances at home and overseas over the past two years. Bumrah remains the world’s top-ranked Test bowler, making his unavailability a significant loss for the bowling attack. The BCCI has not yet announced a replacement. India will now head into the Sri Lanka series under captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain KL Rahul with a reshuffled pace unit.