With the 50-overs World Cup just about two months away, Jasprit Bumrah’s return has been awaited with bated breath. The defeat to the West Indies in the second ODI on Saturday notwithstanding, India have their batting bases covered. The bowling still lacks the serrated edge which Bumrah can provide.
His back injury related to his disc had sidelined him for 10 months, but going by reports he is nearing match fitness.
Bumrah bowled 10 overs, divided into two spells, to some of Mumbai’s batsmen in an intra-squad practice match on Friday at the Alur cricket ground near Bengaluru.
Bumrah recorded impressive figures of 10-2-34-1 — he cleaned up opener Angkrish Raghuvanshi, his only scalp.
Also giving a glimpse of his match fitness was Prasidh Krishna, who too returned after completing his rehabilitation following a stress fracture on his back. Like Bumrah, Krishan returned remarkable figures of 10-2-26-1 across three spells. Krishan might not be a shoo-in for the World Cup, but his fitness gives India a backup option in the pace stocks.
According to a report, the BCCI’s medical team is satisfied with their overall progress. A final report on their fitness is likely to be made public after the practice games.
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