PROTECT Jasprit Bumrah, please

The clock is ticking. And there is still no news on Jasprit Bumrah. Even as India prepare to take on England in the second ODI at the historic Cuttack venue on Sunday, zero updates on Bumrah are baffling. The captain does not want to talk, the coach has nothing to say, and a new batting coach who showed up at the press conference also was blank on Saturday. What is/are the reasons nobody wants to say a word on Bumrah, from Rohit Sharma to Gautam Gambhir and now Sitanshu Kotak.

It is well known and repeatedly written, Bumrah’s back issue is not just a back spasm. These days, (MRI) scan reports come out in less than an hour, so what is that is preventing people in power from speaking on Bumrah. For all those who know the old NCA (National Cricket Academy) in Bengaluru, renamed as Centre for Excellence, they are supposed to deal with rehab of injured players. Bumrah’s case is special, his back injury is not a light thing. Sadly, the more silence on it, the more interpretations are coming up.

Perhaps, best closest person who has come out to tell the world “Leave Bumrah alone” is none other than legend Ravi Shastri. Shastri has seen Bumrah closely and would have used his contacts in Sydney to get a quick fix on what happened when Bumrah underwent the scan in Sydney almost six weeks ago. That he cannot reveal everything is well-known as he would not want to ruffle the feathers of the BCCI. At the same time, when Shastri said on an ICC show the speedster cannot be rushed back, he was dead serious. That show also included Mrs Bumrah – cricket anchor Sanjana Ganesan.

If Shastri is telling us forget BOOM for the Champions Trophy and South African great Vernon Philander is suggesting Bumrah has to be dealt with very carefully, why this secrecy. It is not abnormal to get injured. Every sport does entail wear and tear. In the case of Bumrah, he has been over-bowled and to be an all-format bowler now is next to impossible for the legend quickie. Yes, Bumrah is a great guy in all formats but if you really love him and care for him, rest him for the Champions Trophy.

For those who think even a 75 per cent fit Bumrah should play, its ignorance. His back has to be preserved. This one Champions Trophy is not more important than the career of India’s speed icon. He also has to play in the IPL 2025 for Mumbai Indians, if he is fit. Most important, Bumrah would be ideal for India in the five-Test series in England this summer. That would be the mother of all battles. But then, cricket is more than sport, it is also commerce. Fans turn foul when a player does not perform at best. See how trolls slam Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Explain to the fans that Bumrah needs rest and rehab, please. Philander has said that Bumrah needs to be preserved and any attempt to rush him back can be dangerous. Philander knows about fast bowling, just like Shastri. It is OK for the BCCI to keep the suspense on till the last minute and then change the name list for the Champions Trophy. The cloak of secrecy does no good. And the worst thing, Bumrah is not at fault. He bowled his heart out in the BGT Series till his back packed up.

For someone who has undergone two back surgeries, the workload management had to be perfect. It was not. At least now, let him recover and become fully fit so that he can serve India for a few more years. The day it becomes official the BCCI will not be able to fly Bumrah to Dubai, there will be more chaos. It seems, nobody wants to avoid it. Last but not the least, why would anyone push Bumrah into bowling ten overs in hard conditions in Dubai, venue for the Champions Trophy. Please protect the most loved fast bowler in the world.