Reports: Jasprit Bumrah to miss Nepal clash due to personal reasons

Ahead of India’s upcoming clash against Nepal in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023, ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah has left the camp and travelled back to Mumbai due to personal reasons. 

The 29-year-old is completely fit and will be potentially available for India's next game, should they qualify for the Super Four stage. In his absence, Mohammed Shami is very likely to make his return to the playing XI, as the game against Nepal is a do-or-die for either of the teams. The team that manages to register their first win of the Asia Cup, will be advancing to the next round.

Meanwhile, in the match against Pakistan, India’s top order absolutely collapsed and failed to perform against the likes of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah. Hence, the goal will be to improve in the upcoming match as the Rohit Sharma-led side is eyeing to do well in the Asia Cup 2023 and to prepare well for the upcoming ODI World Cup.

Both their star batters, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were bamboozled by Shaheen in the last match while Shreyas Iyer, who is eyeing to cement the number four position in the ODI set-up, once again got out to a short ball. Youngster Shubman Gill, too failed to make a mark.

On the other hand, Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya played some brilliant cricket to help India post a respectable score on board. The southpaw, who’s currently playing because of KL Rahul’s injury, hit 82 runs, while Pandya smashed 87 runs in Pallekele.

Bowlers didn’t get an opportunity to defend the total due to rain and hence, will be gunning to make a mark against Nepal. Notably, the Rohit Paudel-led side was handed an embarrassing defeat by Pakistan in the opening game of the competition, and thus, they will hope to bounce back, but it is not going to be an easy task for them.