Jasprit Bumrah's fitness is a game they are playing, according to India's head coach Rahul Dravid. The right-arm pacer, who is currently out of the three-match T20I series against South Africa due to a back ailment, is attempting to regain full fitness in time for the T20 World Cup, which begins in Australia in a few weeks. Bumrah is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru under the supervision of BCCI medical professionals.
"So as of now, (Bumrah) officially has been ruled out, as you know, from this series against South Africa. He has gone to the NCA. And we are waiting for the official confirmation on the next steps. So, as of now officially he is only out of this series, but we'll see what happens over the next few days. And, and once we get some official confirmation, then we'll be able to share that," Dravid said on the eve of the second T20I against South Africa in Guwahati.
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The NCA was supposed to conduct scans on the pace spearhead. When questioned if the findings had shown anything significant, Dravid opted not to go into great detail. However, the former captain of India stated that they are praying Bumrah regains his full fitness before to the international competition.
"I honestly haven't gone deeply into the medical reports. I mean, I rely on the experts to tell me what is happening. He is being assessed. And we'll know in due course, whether he's what happens in the future. And obviously, till he is completely ruled out till I get official confirmation that he is ruled out, we will always be hopeful. We will always hope for the best not just for us as a team, but also just as individuals, we will always hope for the best for the remainder of the matches," Dravid added.
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In the Australia series, Bumrah made a brief comeback to the India lineup. In Nagpur's 8-overs-a-side game, which was postponed due to rain, he only bowled two overs. In Hyderabad, where the series was decided, he bowled all of his allotted overs. Bumrah also travelled to Thiruvananthapuram with the team for the first game of the series against South Africa, but he had to return after experiencing back pain.
In order to cover for him for the remaining of this series, Mohammed Siraj was added to the team. It is possible that he will go to South Africa with Umran Malik as well. On October 6, India is scheduled to depart for Perth. Bumrah won't be travelling with the squad at that time, and it is almost clear that he won't fly to Australia at that time either.
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