Jasprit Bumrah during a Test match for India (Source: AFP Photos)
In a significant development, Jasprit Bumrah has been declared fit to play the upcoming India
vs Sri Lanka Tests, scheduled to get underway on August 15. As reported by PTI, India’s talismanic pacer, who was subject to fitness testing for his availability for the India tour of Sri Lanka, has passed all the tests set by the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.
Bumrah missed out on playing the recently concluded third and final ODI between India and England after sustaining a blow to his left knee prior to the decider. After that, the BCCI had to mention that he would be going through fitness drills for his selection for the India vs Sri Lanka Tests.
Relief For India With Jasprit Bumrah’s Availability
India were already without Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy for the Sri Lanka Tests due to injury concerns. If Jasprit Bumrah had not been there, things could have been far worse.
Not to forget, India are already fifth on the current World Test Championship (WTC) points table, having won four matches and lost as many. They also had a draw, with the PCT reading 48.15.
Australia, South Africa and New Zealand are the top three sides in the current WTC table, with the PCT of 87.50, 75.00 and 72.22 respectively. Even Bangladesh, who will next tour Australia, are ahead of India, with the PCT of 58.33.
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"Jasprit Bumrah has recovered from his impact injury. He has cleared the fitness Tests mandated by the COE. Hopefully he will be available for both games as he is integral to the team's plans," a senior BCCI official told PTI, giving Indian fans a relief.
Jasprit Bumrah's Test Numbers In Sri Lanka
Even though Bumrah has played 52 Tests across the world since making his debut in the format in 2018, he has never been in Sri Lanka to play a red-ball match.
In total, he has had two Tests against Sri Lanka at home. There, he had extraordinary numbers, picking up 10 wickets at an average of just 9. Overall in Asia, Bumrah has claimed 62 wickets in 16 matches, averaging 17.7.
Who Are With Bumrah In Pace Attack For India vs Sri Lanka Tests?
India, led by Shubman Gill, will have three frontline pacers apart from Jasprit Bumrah during the India vs Sri Lanka Tests. They are Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar.
Along with them, Ravindra Jadeja, Saransh Jain, Manav Suthar and Kuldeep Yadav are there in the spin department.
The first of the two-match Test series between India and Sri Lanka will be held at Galle International Stadium. After that, the second Test will take place at Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo, from August 23 onwards.
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