IPL 2023 is set to miss Jasprit Bumrah

The option of undergoing surgery has confronted the India fast bowler, who has not yet fully recovered from the back injury.

Jasprit Bumrah, the India fast bowler, has been given the option of undergoing back surgery and is likely to miss IPL 2023, according to ESPNcricinfo. Bumrah has not fully recovered from the back injury that ruled him out of the T20 World Cup last year. Additionally, if India qualifies, he may also miss the World Test Championship final starting on June 7 at The Oval.

The BCCI medical staff at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru is urgently treating Bumrah’s case. It is understood that the staff suggested the surgery option to him following recurring niggles in his lower back, which had initially surfaced in the form of a stress reaction last August.

The BCCI, in coordination with the NCA and Bumrah, is expected to take a final decision on the next step soon, keeping in mind that the ODI World Cup is scheduled in October-November in India.

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However, three days later, Bumrah was absent for the first T20I against South Africa in Thiruvananthapuram. Later, it was discovered that he had been taken for scans, which revealed a stress-related injury. The following day, Bumrah was urgently taken to NCA where further scans confirmed that the injury was serious. Consequently, he was ruled out of the T20 World Cup.

In November, Bumrah resumed his rehab, and he started bowling by mid-December. His progress appeared positive, and the selectors belatedly added him for the white-ball series against Sri Lanka more than a week after the Indian squad was originally picked.

While performing higher workloads during a fitness drill in Mumbai in early January, Bumrah felt discomfort, despite having performed match simulation exercises at NCA. Scans revealed that a fresh niggle had developed, which eventually ruled him out of the Australia Tests.

The Indian team management and the NCA want Bumrah to return only when he is absolutely fit to perform at his peak. Captain Rohit Sharma has also warned India against rushing him back into action.