BCCI gives a medical update regarding Jasprit Bumrah and Shreyas Iyer and confirms their unavailability for the WTC finals
On Saturday, BCCI will provide a medical update on Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and batsman Shreyas Iyer's injuries, as both of them have been out of action for quite some time because of their respective back injuries. Bumrah, who had undergone surgery on his lower back in New Zealand, has started his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru from Friday. His surgery was successful, and he remains pain-free. BCCI said that "the fast bowler was advised by the specialist to start his rehab six weeks after the surgery and accordingly."
He had not played any cricket since September last year. He came back from his back injury in the T20I series against Australia but again hurt his back in the same series, because of which he was ruled out of the T20 World Cup in Australia. After that, he had again regained his fitness and was included in the team for the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka but pulled out at the last minute because of his complaint of back pain during a match simulation at the NCA.
A BCCI official said that "there is no word on Bumrah's return." He has no chance of playing the WTC final against Australia in July and is fighting a race against time to be fit for the ODI World Cup in October-November in India this year.
On the other hand, Shreyas Iyer aggravated his back injury during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy match against Australia. The injury ruled him out of the IPL in 2023. He too is unlikely to feature in the WTC final.
BCCI added, "Shreyas Iyer is scheduled to undergo surgery for his lower back issue next week." He will remain under the surgeon’s care for two weeks and will return to the NCA after that for rehabilitation.