Indian test fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is flying to the UK to get opinion from medical specialists about his lower back stress fracture.
Last week, it was revealed that a routine radiological screening had revealed a minor fracture in his lower back, enough to rule him out of the forthcoming test series with South Africa. The injury was not expected to be long-term, and Bumrah was to undergo a period of rest and recuperation at the National Cricket Association (NCA) where he would be monitored by the medical team of the BCCI (Board of Control of Cricket India).
However, it now appears that the injury may be more serious than was first thought, prompting the decision to send him to the UK where he will visit at least three different specialists to get opinions from leading experts on stress fractures. He will be accompanied by the NCA’s head physiotherapist Ashish Kaushik.
Bumrah will leave for the UK on October 6th or 7th, and is expected to stay there at least a week.
Now question marks will be raised how long he is likely to be out of the game. He was initially ruled out for two months, which means he will miss not only the matches against South Africa, but also the series against Bangladesh as well. However, stress fractures are difficult to treat, and the recovery time depends upon the individual player. Some might just need a period of rest and then a rehabilitation programme, whilst others might require a surgical intervention.
If this proves to be the case with Bumrah, then his period out of the game could be a lot longer, which will be a major blow both for the players, and fans of Indian cricket.
Bumrah is number 3 in the ICC Test rankings and is rated the number ODI bowler in the world. He has played 12 test matches in all, taking 55 wickets at an average of 20.63, with best bowling figures of 6 – 27 in the recent test against West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica. He has also captured 51 T20 International wickets in 42 games.
He was expected to play a big part in India’s World T20 campaign in Australia next year, but, depending on what the British medical experts recommend, those plans may need to be re-evaluated.
Umesh Yadav has been named in the Indian Test squad for the series against South Africa as his replacement.
