NEW DELHI: Jasprit Bumrah has been advised bed rest at home and the future course of action will be finalised only after swelling in his back subsides. The seamer reached home last week after a long tour of Australia and the current situation doesn’t look very encouraging.
Poll
How important is it for the Indian cricket team to have Jasprit Bumrah fully fit?
It is reliably understood that while Bumrah will have to report to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, there is no date of his check-in yet.
“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,” said a well-placed source.
The initial word is that it’s just swelling in the back and Bumrah will not be rushed back to cricket at this stage. With his history of back issues, the last thing stakeholders want is aggravating it. There is no clarity on his exact diagnosis yet but if it’s something severe than just swelling, return could take longer.
“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,” added the source.
Former India strength and conditioning coach Ramji Srinivasan feels the exact time of rest and recovery can only be ascertained after a thorough diagnosis. He further explained that it depends whether the swelling is in the muscle or on disc.
“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.
The stakeholders would hope that it remains swelling in the back because a disc bulge could delay his return to professional cricket. There is a long season ahead with the Champions Trophy, IPL and India’s tour of England and Bumrah needs to carefully manage his recovery and return.
There are still few days left before India pick their provisional squad for the Champions Trophy and it now remains to be seen whether the selectors include him in the list of 15. They are allowed to make changes until February 13 and are understood to be waiting for the final report from the medical team before taking the crucial Bumrah call.