India has suffered another fitness setback as they head into their three-match T20I series against Afghanistan and fast bowler Harshit Rana is unlikely to be able to recover in time for the opening match. But Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy are on track to make their returns.
The Afghanistan series is scheduled to start on September 13 in New Delhi, when India is getting into the busy period of their international calendar.
Harshit Rana faces race against time
Harshit Rana is the biggest fitness concern among India's selected players. The pacer has been recovering from a hamstring injury suffered after making an appearance in the T20I series against England in July.
Rana was included in India's squads for both Afghanistan T20Is and the upcoming Asian Games. However, PTI reported that he is unlikely to be cleared for the Afghanistan series.
Rana is still not fully recovered from the injury and needs some time while recovering from it before he returns to competitive cricket, said a BCCI source.
His potential absence will force India to make changes to their pace-bowling combination.
Jasprit Bumrah Set for Comeback
The biggest positive update concerns Jasprit Bumrah, who is on track to return against Afghanistan.
Bumrah sustained a knee injury in the ODI series in England in July. This injury forced him out of India's Test tour of Sri Lanka as he did not recover in time.
His absence had also drawn scrutiny in India’s Centre of Excellence and its injury-management processes.
So far Bumrah has come along well and will be included in the Afghanistan T20Is. His return will give India very good experience and firepower in the bowling department.
Nitish Kumar Reddy Also on Track
India has been getting another boost as Nitish Kumar Reddy is looking well from his quadriceps injury.
In return the all-rounder’s return would bring the side a greater balance as he can contribute with both bat and ball, especially as he’s able to play with both bat and ball.
BCCI sources said Bumrah and Reddy are both on track for their respective comeback.
Busy Schedule Raises Fitness Stakes
India’s demanding schedule has made player fitness extremely important. After the Afghanistan series, the team will play a one-off match against Japan in Tokyo on September 22.
India will then begin their Asian Games campaign on September 28 with the team leaving for the Games on September 20.
So workload management as well as getting players fit will be crucial.
The Centre of Excellence Faces Questions
India’s injury issue is again putting the spotlight on the Centre of Excellence (CoE). The facility has reportedly been without a head of sports science since Nitin Patel left around 18 months ago.
CoE head VVS Laxman, however, has defended the facility’s approach, saying it’s much more than a rehabilitation centre.
The players undergo structured evaluations with medical and sports science teams and then go through rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, and skills training, Laxman said.
He also has noted that recovery timetables cannot always be predicted with any definitive accuracy, because the body of each player reacts differently.
For India, the priority will now be to ensure that Bumrah and Reddy return at the right time while avoiding unnecessary risks with Rana’s recovery.
