NEW DELHI: As Indian cricket holds its breath over Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness, it has emerged his back injury is due to be assessed by orthopedic surgeon Dr Rowan Schouten in New Zealand, with a consultation visit also planned depending on his report and feedback.
TOI understands that the Indian cricket board (BCCI) is already planning a backup since Bumrah could be cutting it very fine to get fit in time for ICC Champions Trophy next month.

The ace bowler has been picked for CT and also named in the team for the third ODI against England in Ahmedabad on Feb 12, but there are no high hopes around him.
The changes to the CT team can be made till Feb 11. The selectors have already named Harshit Rana for the first two ODIs against England. It will be interesting to see if they continue with Rana should Bumrah fail to get fit for CT.
Sources said given the experience he has, Mohammed Siraj could be back in contention in such a scenario.
“The BCCI medical team is in touch with Schouten in New Zealand. The board had also planned a visit for Bumrah to New Zealand. But that hasn’t happened yet. The selectors know it will be a miracle if Bumrah turns up 100% fit in the given timeline,” a BCCI source told TOI.
Schouten had operated on Bumrah after he missed the T20 World Cup in 2022. He didn’t take the field in the second innings of the Sydney Test in the first week of this month when he complained of discomfort in his back.

Bumrah and the rest of the fast bowlers who played most Test matches during the Test season were advised to take a three week offloading process. The offloading process dictates a player to not undertake any strenuous physical activity which includes basic fitness training as well. BCCI’s medical team was due to evaluate Bumrah’s condition after the offloading process which was due to end last week.
“The reports will be shared with his doctor in New Zealand. Sending Bumrah to New Zealand will depend on the feedback. The board and Bumrah himself are not willing to push hard given his significance over a long period of time,” the source said.
“The selectors will only be informed if he is ready to take the field after the entire process is complete. The selectors will need to keep a backup plan ready for him. It will be a miracle if Bumrah makes it,” the source added.
It may be recalled that the Indian team tried to rush Bumrah back in action in a home series against Australia in 2022 which resulted in him breaking down again and he subsequently missed the T20 World Cup. Mohammed Shami’s comeback in international cricket is held back as the team management has not opted to play him in the first two T20Is against England.
However, TOI understands that the team management is saving him for the ODI season, and is happy with how Shami is shaping up after a long injury layoff.
“Shami has shed two kgs from what he weighed before his injury. He is bowling at full tilt. He is not needed as much in the T20 matches. But he should be good to go once the ODIs come around,” the source added.