Shane Bond comes up with in-depth analysis on Jasprit Bumrah's injury

Jasprit Bumrah has been sidelined from cricket for several months following a back injury he sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. After delivering an outstanding performance in the series, he was ruled out for several weeks due to the injury, which occurred on the second day of the final Test. Bumrah has been absent from the cricket scene since early January, leading to concerns about his fitness and availability for future tournaments. Former New Zealand pacer Shane Bond recently commented on Bumrah's chances of making the squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy, stating that he had predicted Bumrah might not be fit in time for the tournament.

Bond highlighted the challenge of the tight schedule that awaits Bumrah, especially the quick transition between the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the upcoming five-match Test series against England. He pointed out that the intensity of this packed calendar could be a vulnerable period for the Indian pacer, raising concerns about the potential risks of rushing Bumrah back into action too soon. Bond stressed that while Bumrah’s talent is undeniable, the 2025 Champions Trophy might come too soon given the recovery time required for his injury. The situation continues to raise questions over Bumrah’s fitness and availability for upcoming international assignments.

"When he went off for scans, it was at Sydney, there was some messaging coming up around that he had sprains and stuff like that. I worried that it wasn't going to be a sprain, it might be a bony injury around that area [the back]. I thought he may struggle to make the Champions Trophy if it was. Look, I think Booms will be fine, but it's just that [workload] management [matters]. Looking at the tours and the schedule going forward, where are the opportunities to give him a break, but really where are the danger periods? And often, it is that the [transition from] IPL to the Test championship will be a risk," said former New Zealand speedster Shane Bond in a recent conversation. 

Shane Bond further explained the complexities of shifting focus between formats, specifically the transition from preparing for a 50-over game to a Test match. He noted that this switch is more challenging than transitioning from T20Is to Test cricket, as the demands of the formats differ greatly. India’s upcoming red-ball series against England, scheduled between June and early August, will test Bumrah’s ability to adjust to the longer format after his recovery from injury.

Bond, who has served as the bowling coach for Mumbai Indians for several years, emphasized the importance of open communication and effective workload management for a bowler like Bumrah. With his injury history and the intense schedule ahead, Bond stressed the need for proper management to ensure that Bumrah’s return to full fitness is sustainable. The former New Zealand pacer pointed out that managing a bowler's workload is crucial to avoid the risk of further injury, especially when transitioning between formats that demand different physical and mental preparations. As Bumrah looks to make a comeback, striking the right balance between recovery, match readiness, and managing his workload will be key to his success.