Reports: Selectors don't want to take any chance for New Zealand tour, Bumrah might play one Ranji Trophy fixture

Jasprit Bumrah is currently undergoing strict match simulation tests at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana from September 4 to 9. The quartet sustained injuries or required fitness assessments before the upcoming international assignments. Bumrah sustained an impact injury to his left knee while fielding during the second ODI against England in Cardiff in July 2026. He has not played a red-ball match since the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati in November 2025.

The BCCI medical team at the Centre of Excellence has been evaluating all four players to determine their readiness for upcoming assignments. Clinical fitness assessments have been completed, but Ajit Agarkar and his team of selectors have made it clear that medical clearance alone is not sufficient for Bumrah's return to Test cricket. The CoE has lined up practice matches from September 4 to 9 to assess how these players respond to competitive workloads.

"The BCCI medical team at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) had shared a report with selectors last week, where it was mentioned that these four players were clinically fit but had to be assessed in practice matches. The CoE has lined up the matches from Sept 4-9. The CoE is confident that the players should be ready for the Afghanistan series," a BCCI source told TOI.

Why Bumrah needs a first-class match before New Zealand

Bumrah has been named in India's squad for the T20I series against Afghanistan. So have Nitish, Sundar, and Rana. However, they will only be a part of the series if they manage to get the necessary medical fitness certificates from the CoE.

"As it is, he has to skip Test matches because of his fitness. One has to be clear that his knee can take the load of a first-class game before he takes the field in a Test in New Zealand. It needs to be seen if he plays a Ranji Trophy game or a first-class game for India ‘A’ in New Zealand. He is likely to be rested for the T20I series against the West Indies at home in October. But the ‘A’ games in New Zealand overlap with the ODI series there," TOI quoted a source as saying.

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Bumrah's return timeline remains fluid as selectors prioritise his readiness for the New Zealand assignment. The decision to have him play a first-class match before the Test tour reflects the cautious approach being taken with his recovery. Selectors have also identified Prince Yadav as a serious backup option following his recovery, providing contingency cover if Bumrah's fitness assessment does not progress as planned.