Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Nitish Reddy's Fitness Status Detailed Before IND vs AFG T20Is

Bumrah, Harshit, Nitish yet to be cleared by the BCCI CoE [Source: AFP]

After registering an emphatic clean sweep over Zimbabwe, India are set to take on Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series. Although the Asian rivals have previously clashed on multiple occasions, the upcoming series holds historic significance, with Afghanistan hosting India for the very first time. 

Recently, the BCCI announced a formidable Indian squad for three T20Is against Afghanistan, set to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Led by Shreyas Iyer, India have several match-winners, including Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Tilak Varma. 

Meanwhile, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah and Harshit Rana also made the India T20I squad vs Afghanistan, subject to fitness clearance. 

In the latest turn of events, a major update on the fitness status of Bumrah, Reddy and Rana has arrived, with Sundar reportedly receiving fitness clearance to feature in the India vs Afghanistan series. 

Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Reddy, Harshit Rana yet to be cleared by BCCI CoE

According to a report from the Times of India, Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Reddy and Harshit Rana have yet to be cleared by the CoE medical team to participate in the India vs Afghanistan series. 

The trio, which is currently rehabilitating at the BCCI CoE, underwent a match simulation on Monday, September 7. The TOI report states that their fitness status will be reassessed through another match simulation on Wednesday, September 9. 

"Sundar was cleared by the BCCI's medical team after his fitness test, which included a match simulation exercise, at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Sept 4. Bumrah, Rana and Reddy underwent their first match simulation on Monday and will undergo their second on Wednesday at the CoE. After that, the CoE will provide a fitness report on the trio," a source was quoted as saying by TOI. 

Also Read: Ajit Agarkar's Selection Committee Kept In The Dark On Jasprit Bumrah, Complaints Emerge

What happened to Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Reddy and Harshit Rana?

Jasprit Bumrah sustained a knee injury before the third ODI against England at Lord's, subsequently missing out on selection for the India vs Sri Lanka Test series. Harshit Rana was sidelined from the white-ball series against England due to a hamstring injury, while a quadriceps injury ruled Nitish Reddy out of the UK as well as the Sri Lanka tours. 

Why is the CoE taking a cautious approach regarding Bumrah, Nitish and Harshit?

Given that Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Reddy and Harshit Rana have been prone to injuries of late, the concerned authorities will thoroughly assess their fitness before clearing them to play the India vs Afghanistan T20I series. 

The CoE received a lot of flak as frequent injury setbacks derailed India's campaign on the UK tour. Hardik Pandya and Nitish Reddy were unavailable for the Ireland and England series, as they were recovering from their respective injuries. 

Varun Chakaravarthy and Harshit Rana were ruled out of the tour midway, while Washington Sundar and Jasprit Bumrah couldn't play the crucial series decider at Lord's. The injuries to key players unsettled India's playing combination, particularly in England, as they managed a solitary win across eight white-ball games. 

Shubman Gill openly expressed his frustration over the injury setbacks. Therefore, the CoE is taking it one step at a time and will carefully assess the fitness of Bumrah, Reddy, and Harshit so they don't break down midway through the India vs Afghanistan T20Is.  

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