‘Bumrah ko ab bhool jao’ - Madan Lal makes blunt remark on speedster; backs Umesh Yadav to feature in WTC Final

Former India cricketer Madan Lal passed a rather blunt remark on Jasprit Bumrah as he backed Umesh Yadav to feature in India’s squad, assuming the side qualifies for the ICC World Test Championship Final.

As per the latest developments, pace spearhead, Bumrah could be confined to the sidelines for most 2023. The pacer is set to undergo surgery and has travelled to New Zealand for the treatment of his back injury.

Meanwhile, former India allrounder Madan Lal made a hard-hitting statement as he opined that the side must leave Bumrah ‘out of the equation’. Furthermore, he picked the Vidarbha pacer Umesh Yadav as a suitable replacement to India’s squad. 

“They will take Umesh (to the WTC final). There you need at least 3 pacers so, only one spinner might play and the rest will be fast bowlers. Bumrah ko ab bhool jao. Usko chhor dijiye aap (Forget Bumrah. Leave him out of the equation). When Bumrah returns, we will see then. Use whatever you have. What is the guarantee? No wonder when he will return - maybe in 1 to 1.5 years. He has not played in so long. It means his injury is very serious,” said the 71-year-old on Sports Tak.

India eyes World Test Championship Final berth

Madan further added that Bumrah’s injury’s gravitas is such that one cannot expect him to come all guns blazing swiftly.

“At max, an injury takes 3 months to heal and he hasn’t played since September - even Hardik Pandya was able to return in 4 months post his back surgery - and Bumrah hasn’t played since 6 months. So, how can you expect that this will be the same Bumrah that we have seen so far? It will take him time. If you want to see the same Bumrah, you will have to give him time,” he added.

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma & Co. are on the cusp of cementing a berth in the summit clash of the World Test Championship. However, a win in the fourth red-ball clash against Australia of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy will help stamp their ticket to the final.

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