Jasprit Bumrah Ranji team: Why is Bumrah not playing today’s Ranji Trophy match?

Why is Bumrah not playing today’s Ranji Trophy match: The Indian fast bowler was expected to take the field today.

India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah recently made his comeback in the limited-overs squad for the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka and Australia.

Bumrah had last played for India during the tour of West Indies post the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Having dismissed 13 batsmen in two Tests at an average of 9.23, an economy rate of 2.44 and a strike rate of 22.6, Bumrah had ended the series as its highest wicket-taker.

However, a back injury which followed soon sidelined the 26-year old player from international cricket. Having recovered from his injury now, Bumrah was expected to turn up for his Ranji Trophy team today but that didn’t happen.

Why is Bumrah not playing today’s Ranji Trophy match

Bumrah, who has been playing for Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy since his First-class debut in 2013, ended up missing their second match against Kerala in Surat after interference from BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) President Sourav Ganguly.

If reports in the Times of India are to be believed, Bumrah was apprehensive with respect to proving his fitness in a four-day match without playing any form of cricket from the last three months.

It is also reported that it was at this point in time that Ganguly intervened and suggested Bumrah to skip the match as India’s first Test against New Zealand is still nearly two months away.

It is believed that Bumrah will directly play the T20Is against Sri Lanka starting from January 5. Once back on the field, Bumrah might then participate in a Ranji Trophy match before the tour of New Zealand.

It is worth mentioning that Bumrah had trained with the Indian team in Visakhapatnam before their second ODI of the recently concluded series against West Indies. The pacer had also bowled to the likes of captain Virat Kohli and vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah in the nets.