While Jasprit Bumrah continues to recuperate from a back injury, India bowling coach Bharat Arun has stated that the pacer does not require surgery for now.
Bumrah was sidelined with a lower-back stress injury last month which ruled the pacer out of the just concluded Test series between India and South Africa. There had been fears that the 25-year-old would require an extensive surgery to deal with the injury, but that is not the case so far, according to Arun.
“Fast bowling is an unnatural activity. Despite our best efforts there can be no guarantees,” the India bowling coach told The Hindu in an interview.
“We expect Bumrah to be back sooner than later, hopefully in time for the New Zealand Test series (next year) that is our next big challenge. As of now, he doesn’t need surgery,” he added.
The Indian fast bowler had recently undertaken a visit to the United Kingdom in order to consult with leading specialists for his injury.
Umesh was on fire in the two Tests. Image – BCCI/Twitter.
The back injury prevented Bumrah from making his home Test debut against the Proteas with all his previous appearances in the format coming overseas. In his stead, Umesh Yadav was called up to the Test squad and the Delhi pacer grabbed his chance with both hands by picking 11 wickets in two Tests at an average of just 12.18.
Hailing Yadav’s displays, Arun said, “He’s strong and quick and now he is bowling in better channels, making the batsman play around the off-stump.”
“He’s got reverse swing, has a nasty short ball. He and Mohammed Shami, who is fast, accurate and dangerous, are a potent combination.”