Jasprit Bumrah is undergoing strict match simulation tests at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) as India closely monitors his fitness.
Bumrah is training alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana. The four players are undergoing practice matches from September 4 to 9.
The BCCI medical team has already completed their clinical fitness assessments. However, selectors want more than just medical clearance before Bumrah returns to Test cricket.
Bumrah suffered an impact injury to his left knee while fielding during the second ODI against England in Cardiff in July 2026. He has also not played a red-ball match since the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati in November 2025.
A BCCI source explained that the players must prove their fitness under match conditions.
“The BCCI medical team at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) had shared a report with selectors last week, where it was mentioned that these four players were clinically fit but had to be assessed in practice matches. The CoE has lined up the matches from Sept 4-9. The CoE is confident that the players should be ready for the Afghanistan series,”
Bumrah may need first-class game before New Zealand Tests
Bumrah has been named in India’s squad for the T20I series against Afghanistan. Nitish, Sundar and Rana have also been selected.
However, their participation will depend on receiving the required medical clearance from the CoE.
The selectors are particularly cautious about Bumrah because of the demands of Test cricket. They want to ensure that his knee can handle the workload of a first-class match before the New Zealand Test series.
“As it is, he has to skip Test matches because of his fitness. One has to be clear that his knee can take the load of a first-class game before he takes the field in a Test in New Zealand. It needs to be seen if he plays a Ranji Trophy game or a first-class game for India ‘A’ in New Zealand. He is likely to be rested for the T20I series against the West Indies at home in October. But the ‘A’ games in New Zealand overlap with the ODI series there,” TOI quoted a source as saying.
Bumrah’s return date remains uncertain. The selectors are prioritising his long-term fitness. Prince Yadav is also being considered as a backup option if Bumrah fails to clear the final assessment.
