Mumbai, July 21 (Agency) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have provided a medical and fitness update on five key India players who are missing from action. BCCI has reported positive news on five stars who have been undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.While fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna are in the final stages of their rehab, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul have resumed batting in the nets. Rishabh Pant, meanwhile, has made significant progress after his accident in late December last year, and has been batting and keeping in the nets, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah in a media statement on Friday said.
Both Bumrah and Iyer had underwent back surgeries, forcing them to miss the IPL and the ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia. The pace spearhead has had a series of injuries of late and has not played since the home T20Is against Australia last September. Iyer, meanwhile, had a bulging disc in his lower back, which saw him miss part of the final Test of the home series against Australia in March. Iyer then underwent surgery in London in May and has been in the NCA in rehabilitation. He posted a clip of him batting in the nets last week. KL Rahul, like Iyer, has also resumed batting in the nets.
The BCCI Medical Team will increase the intensity of training for Rahul and Iyer in the coming days. Bumrah, alongside Prasidh, will play some practice games at full intensity before the BCCI Medical Team make a final assessment. Pant last played for India during the tour of Bangladesh in December 2022 before the accident. His rehabilitation has been faster than expected with him currently following a fitness programme, which includes strength, flexibility and running. India have a busy upcoming schedule with a tour of Ireland next month followed by the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka before the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup at home.