India pace bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has been out of action after injuring his thigh muscle during an Indian Premier League (IPL) game on October 2, will remain out of action till the 2021 IPL edition likely to begin in early April. The 30-year-old bowler, who is recuperating at Bangalore’s National Cricket Academy (NCA), will complete his rehab next month.
Overall, he would remain out of action for six months since the date of injury.”He will be able to play only during the IPL as he is out of competitive cricket for six months,” an official in the know of things told IANS.Bhuvi has also not been picked in the Uttar Pradesh team for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament next month. While the domestic season is likely to be a curtailed one, India play a full international series against England prior to the IPL.
The national team touring Australia is already struggling with pace bowling options after Mohammed Shami joined the ranks of the injured last week after fracturing his arm on Saturday during the first Test. Ishant Sharma was ruled out of the Test series on November 27. India are now left with only two senior pace bowlers in Jasprit Bumrah and Umesh Yadav and will have to depend on youngsters for third seamer’s choice in the absence of Ishant, Shami, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
