Rohit Sharma provides massive update on Jasprit Bumrah ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Team India skipper Rohit Sharma has provided a huge update on pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy scheduled to be played from February 9 onwards. Rohit Sharma and Co. are riding high on the back of consecutive series wins against Sri Lanka and New Zealand in the 50-over format.

The Men in Blue registered a series whitewash 3-0 against the Black Caps after emerging victorious by 90 runs in the final ODI played in Indore. Following the emphatic win, Rohit responded to a query related to Jasprit Bumrah’s return to the team after being on the sidelines due to a back injury. He also added that he would like to see the pacer take part in the final two red-ball clashes against Australia.

"About (Jasprit) Bumrah, I am not too sure at the moment. The first two Test matches, of course, he is not going to be available. I am expecting...I am hoping, not expecting, that he plays the next (last) two Test matches (against Australia). We don't want to take any risks with him as back injuries are always critical. We have a lot of cricket coming back after that as well," Rohit was quoted as saying by NDTV.

“We are in constant touch with physios and doctors in NCA. We will monitor. The medical team will give him as much time as he wants,” he added.

India-Australia lock horns in February

Following the conclusion of the T20I series against the Kiwis, Rohit and co. will shift focus onto the Test series against Australia which is to be played from February 9. The first Test is scheduled to be played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. The month-long red-ball series will prove to be the key as it will decide which side will qualify for the summit clash of the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle.

The two sides will also contest in three ODI matches which will be played after the conclusion of the red-ball series in March. The three-match ODI series will be vital for both sides in order to understand the squad dynamics considering the 2023 ODI World Cup.