India’s fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who was unable to bowl in the final innings of the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia due to injury, is expected to miss the upcoming white-ball series against England ahead of the Champions Trophy, which is set to begin on February 19.

Bumrah sustained the injury on Day 2 of the series decider at the Sydney Cricket Ground and was promptly taken to the hospital for scans. Although he returned to bat the next day despite skipping the warm-up session, he did not bowl in Australia’s second innings as the hosts successfully chased down 162 with six wickets remaining.

On Saturday, Bumrah’s teammate Prasidh Krishna disclosed that Bumrah, who bowled over 150 overs in the series, taking 32 wickets, had been suffering from back spasms. These spasms could be directly related to the heavy workload he had during the tour.

Sources close to the matter have indicated that the grade of Bumrah’s injury is yet to be determined. If it is classified as a Grade 1 injury, recovery will take at least two to three weeks of rehabilitation. A Grade 2 injury could extend recovery up to six weeks, while a Grade 3 injury, the most severe, may require a minimum of three months of rest and rehab.

Bumrah’s absence from the England ODI series
In light of Bumrah’s injury and with a focus on ensuring his full fitness for the Champions Trophy, it is likely that he will be rested for the ODI series against England, which begins on February 6 at home. Bumrah, along with other key players, had already been expected to miss the five-match T20I series with the primary focus now on the 50-over format.

However, if Bumrah’s injury is deemed to be Grade 2, he could potentially miss the ODIs as well.