Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has dismissed media reports that he is on bed rest after suffering a back injury during the recent Test series in Australia.
According to Indian media reports, the fast bowler was advised to rest to recover from the injury. He said he would be reluctant to rush back into the squad, questioning his chances of playing in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in February.
Reacting to the report, the star bowler said that he knows it is easy to spread fake news but it is ridiculous. “The sources are unreliable,” he added.
The tweet Bumrah cited on his X account for his reply was later deleted.
Indian media also reported that Bumrah had been directed to report to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for rehabilitation in Bengaluru after suffering from groin swelling.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has delayed the unveiling of the 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 by a week due to injury concerns after requesting an extension to the deadline. The Champions Trophy squad was to be announced at that time. January 12
The right-arm pacer’s fitness status was reported to the national selectors, who met in Mumbai on Saturday to select the squad for the upcoming T20I series against England.
“He (Bumrah) will go to NCA for rehabilitation. Initial reports indicate there are no fractures, but he has swelling in his back. The NCA will monitor his recovery, and he will be there for three weeks. Even after that, he will need to play a match or two – even practice games – to gauge his match fitness,” said a BCCI source.
Bumrah bowled 151.2 overs during the Border-Gaskar Trophy in Australia, taking 32 wickets at an impressive average of 13.06 and a strike rate of 28.3.
It should be noted that the eight-team Champions Trophy tournament consisting of 15 matches will be played from February 19 to March 9 at various locations in Pakistan and Dubai.
The teams are divided into two groups: Group A includes Pakistan, India, New Zealand and Bangladesh while Group B includes Afghanistan, South Africa, England and Australia.
The opening match of the tournament will be played by hosts Pakistan against New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi.
The highly anticipated clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India is scheduled to take place on February 23 in Dubai.
India’s Champions Trophy Schedule:
February 20, Bangladesh vs India, Dubai
February 23, Pakistan vs India, Dubai
March 2, New Zealand vs India, Dubai