Team India have received a much-needed boost in terms of fitness before their Test series that is crucial to their campaign, as Jasprit Bumrah has started off the last leg of his comeback while Shubman
Gill has also made impressive progress, a report has revealed. Both the players have been slowly inching closer to achieving fitness before India's two-Test tour of Sri Lanka which will take place from August 15 to August 27. The availability of the two players may help India's cause in staying relevant in the race for the WTC final.
According to a Times of India report, “Bumrah will start bowling this week and his workload will be gradually increased. He needs to get used to bowling longer spells again. The medical team at CoE will be closely monitoring it, and the initial reports are that he should be good to start the first Test.”
The report also said, “Gill has been battling the neck pain for some time. It flares up every now and then, especially when he bats for a longer period. He has been consulting specialists outside BCCI for treatment and he is much better now. It's an ongoing process.”
India Hopeful of Full-strength Squad for Sri Lanka Test Series
Gill's neck issue has been a concern for several months, and it flared up again during the recent ODI series against England. In the first ODI, the Indian captain had to briefly head back to the dressing room while batting before ultimately retiring out at 80, which once again highlighted this ongoing problem. Reports indicate that the discomfort tends to resurface during lengthy batting sessions, leading Gill to take a careful approach to his treatment as he gears up to lead India in the two-Test series starting in Galle on August 15.
On another note, Bumrah is set to get back to bowling this week as part of a gradual rehabilitation plan. The fast bowler sustained a knee injury during the second ODI against England and had to sit out the final match due to swelling. With the selectors including him in the squad contingent on his fitness, the emphasis is on making sure he’s fully ready for the opening Test. His return is crucial, especially since India needs solid performances to bolster their standing in the current WTC cycle after missing out on the last final.
In brighter news for India, No. 3 batter Sai Sudharsan is also on the mend and getting closer to a return. The left-hander is recovering from a hamstring injury he picked up while playing for India A against Sri Lanka A and is expected to start batting again at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru next week, following some positive updates from the BCCI medical team.
