Champions Trophy: Final decision regarding Jasprit Bumrah on February 11
What's the story
The final call on star Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah's participation in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy will be taken on February 11.
The date also happens to be the deadline for submitting final squads to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The delay has been caused due to the uncertainty over Bumrah's fitness, ESPNcricinfo reported. He has not featured in international cricket since the Sydney Test against Australia.
Medical assessment
Bumrah undergoes back scan at BCCI's Centre of Excellence
Recently, Bumrah had a back scan at the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
The results of this scan will be assessed by the BCCI's medical staff, who will then work with the selectors and team management to make a final call on his participation in the tournament (likely on February 11).
Tournament preparation
Absence from recent ODI series raises concerns
Notably, Bumrah made the cut in the provisional 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy on January 18.
However, he did not feature in the three-ODI series against England, India's last set of matches before the tournament starts on February 19.
His absence from these preparatory matches has only added to the concerns over his fitness levels ahead of the big event.
Injury details
Bumrah's back injury required five weeks of rest
Notably, Bumrah could not bowl in the second innings of the Sydney Test against Australia in early-January. He eventually finished as the highest wicket-taker of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
It is understood that he had a "stress reaction" in his back, which required up to five weeks of rest.
The long recovery period has only added to the uncertainty of his fitness for the Champions Trophy.
Replacement options
Potential replacements for Bumrah in Champions Trophy
If Bumrah is ruled unfit for the Champions Trophy, Harshit Rana could be his possible replacement. The latter has already played two ODIs against England this month.
But if there is a chance that Bumrah may recover in the latter stages of Champions Trophy, India could retain him in their 15-man squad and seek a replacement later with ICC's approval.
Information
India's squad for Champions Trophy
India's squad for Champions Trophy: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja.