By Karan Agrawal 
India’s fast bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who is nursing a back injury that he picked up during the fifth and final test against Australia last month has reached the National Cricket Academy for the assessment of his injury. Bumrah who has been named in India’s provisional 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy will participate in the multination tournament only if he is 100% fit.
The Call
Ajit Agarkar India’s chief selector has only eight days to make the tough call of sticking with Bumrah given there are concerns over his fitness or pick Harshit Rana who is yet to make his ODI debut and has been named in India’s three-match ODI series England at home as February 11 is the last date to make changes to the squad following which teams can make changes only after ICC’s approval. While Bumrah is expected to play the last game of the series Harshit might make his ODI debut in the series given the fact that he guided India to a come-from-behind win in the fourth T20 in Pune after coming in as a concussion substitute.
What They Said?
While announcing India’s Champions Trophy squad Ajit Agarkar said that Bumrah has been advised a five weeks rest and a call on his participation in the Champions Trophy will be taken in early February. In the words of Agarkar “Bumrah has been told to off-load for five weeks after and he won’t be available for the first two ODIs against England. We are waiting on his fitness and will know his status in early February from the medical team. We’ll probably find out a bit more around that time, what exactly, and with regards to what his medical condition is, I’m sure BCCI might just put something out, from the physio itself.”
The Injury
Jasprit Bumrah consulted a New Zealand-based surgeon for the same. The fast bowler was unable to bowl after the first session on day two of the New Year’s Test and was rushed to hospital for scans as a result of which he was unable to take part in the rest of the match. However, he did come to bat during India’s second innings but wasn’t able to make any significant contribution.