In a major boost to India's World Cup preparations, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is set to return for the three-match ODI series against Ireland next month, BCCI secretary Jay Shah said on Thursday. The 29-year-old fast bowler underwent a surgery for a lower back stress fracture in New Zealand in March and has been rehabilitating at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. India are currently playing a three-match ODI series in West Indies which will be followed by a five-match T20I series that ends in Florida on August 13. The three matches against Ireland will be played on August 18, 20, and 23 before the team heads to the Asia Cup ODIs (August 30-Sept 17).
"Bumrah is totally fit and he may go to Ireland," Shah told reporters in the Capital. "There will be consistency in selections apart from the Ireland tour," he added, indicating that apart from Bumrah, none of the World Cup-bound senior players, including T20I captain Hardik Pandya will be selected for the tour.
Bumrah, who earlier this month shared a video of him bowling full tilt in the NCA, last played an ODI in July 2022. His most recent international appearance came in a T20I against Australia last September where he recorded his worst T20 figures (0/50). He then pulled out of the South Africa series at home, missed the Asia Cup in the UAE as well as the T20 World Cup held in Australia in October, all owing to the back trouble.
The 10-month absence has meant Bumrah has missed the entire home season this year, including the high-profile Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Earlier this year, Bumrah was named in the squad for the limited-overs home series against Sri Lanka but pulled out after complaining of back pain. He proceeded to miss the white-ball series against the visiting New Zealand, the entire Indian Premier League, the World Test Championship final, and the ongoing Caribbean tour.
{{/usCountry}}The 10-month absence has meant Bumrah has missed the entire home season this year, including the high-profile Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Earlier this year, Bumrah was named in the squad for the limited-overs home series against Sri Lanka but pulled out after complaining of back pain. He proceeded to miss the white-ball series against the visiting New Zealand, the entire Indian Premier League, the World Test Championship final, and the ongoing Caribbean tour.
{{/usCountry}}"We have to tour everywhere for the survival of other boards. Injuries will happen as there is so much cricket. We need to look after other boards also," Shah added.
With the 50-over World Cup less than three months away, Bumrah's return to full fitness will come as a major boost to India who will be vying to win their third World Cup, second at home. Along with Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj, Bumrah forms a potent three-pronged pace attack.
Meanwhile, captain Rohit Sharma had little idea about Bumrah's proposed return. Speaking in the pre-match press conference on Wednesday in Bridgetown, Sharma said, "The amount of experience he (Bumrah) brings is very important. Right now he's coming from a serious injury and I've no idea if he'll travel to Ireland because the team hasn't been announced yet. If he gets to play then it's good and we hope he plays before the World Cup. When a player returns from a serious injury, match fitness, match feel are some key components, which are missing,” the skipper added.
Sharma revealed that the team management is in constant touch with the NCA and things looked optimistic. “We'll see what has been planned and everything depends on his recovery. We are in constant touch with the NCA and things look positive at the moment,” he said.