If Bumrah’s Absence in World Cup Semi-Final/Final Proves Fruitless, Our Investment in Him Proves Futile: Kapil Dev | Cricket News

Jasprit Bumrah’s Injury

Jasprit Bumrah’s back injury has been the talk of Indian cricket since last year. A recurring injury that’s been bugging him since the India tour of England in July and has seen him miss out on professional cricket since October last year.

Doubts over Bumrah’s Fitness

With a home ODI World Cup on horizon, there have been doubts over Bumrah’s fitness in the first team leading up to the tournament and Asia Cup ahead of it.

Kapil Dev’s Views

Former India World Cup-winning skipper Kapil Dev has shared his views on the 29-year-old and even Rishabh Pant’s absence from the national side ahead of the marquee event. “What happened to Bumrah? He started working with so much belief, but if he’s not there (in World Cup semi-final/final)… we wasted time on him. Rishabh Pant… such a great cricketer. Had he been there, our Test cricket would’ve been better,” Kapil told The Wire.

Rishabh Pant’s Injury

Pant has also remained out of action following his car accident at the turn of the year and has made “significant progress in his rehabilitation” as stated in a recent press release by the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI).

Kapil Dev on IPL

“God is kind, it’s not as if I never got injured. But today, they are playing 10 months in a year. Give a benefit of doubt to that, but everybody has to look after themselves. IPL is a great thing but IPL can spoil you also. Because, a little bit of injuries and you will play in IPL. A little bit of injuries, you won’t play for India. You would take a break. I’m being very open about it,” the former India all-rounder added.

• According to Kapil Dev, IPL can spoil players because they prioritize IPL over playing for India.
• He believes the cricket board needs to understand how much cricket players should play and manage their workload.

Inclusion of Bumrah in Asia Cup

The Indian Express has learned that the team selectors are looking to include the 29-year-old for the Asia Cup in September and that the progression he has made in the last couple of weeks means he could travel to Ireland next month with a second-string India team.

Current Tour of West Indies

The Indian team is currently on tour of the West Indies. Having lost the second ODI against the hosts on Saturday and with the series level at 1-1, India will play the decider on Tuesday in Trinidad.

First published on: 31-07-2023 at 11:50 IST