‘Bumrah will not be available for first two ODIs against England’

Mumbai, Jan 18: Chief selector Ajit Agarkar on Saturday said Jasprit Bumrah may not get fit for the first two ODIs against England, forcing them to name Harshit Rana as a replacement as they await an update from the medical team on the lead pacer.
The peerless fast bowler though was named in the squad for the Champions Trophy that follows the three-match rubber against England.
“Bumrah has been told to off-load for five weeks after and he won’t be available for the first two ODIs against England. We are waiting on his fitness and will know his status in early February from the medical team,” Agarkar said during a press conference which he addressed alongside India captain Rohit Sharma.
“We’ll probably hear more over the next week or so about his fitness. It would have been nicer if BCCI had (given the update)… I might say the wrong thing here. I know he was asked to offload for five weeks of bowling, which is early first week February, if I’m not wrong,” Agarkar said.
He continued, “We’ll probably find out a bit more around that time. What exactly (it is) and with regards to what his medical condition is, I’m sure BCCI might just put something out from the physio itself.”
After India’s loss in the Brisbane Test, skipper Rohit had demanded answers from the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru on Mohammed Shami’s fitness status last month. On Saturday, Agarkar too made the same point.
“It’s better it comes from the medical department than me trying to explain what exactly is wrong with him (Bumrah), but that’s the time frame that we’ve been told and hopefully, he’s okay after that. We are very hopeful,” he added.
The final squad for the Champions Trophy must be submitted to the ICC by February 11. India play three bilateral ODIs against England on February 6, 9 and 12 – their first 50-over games since the tour of Sri Lanka in August last year – before the Champions Trophy begins on February 19. (PTI)