'This made me laugh' - Jasprit Bumrah responds to 'bed rest' reports

Star Indian speedster, Jasprit Bumrah, has firmly denied the recent reports floating about him being advised bed rest following his back injury during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Taking to social media, Bumrah termed the news as fake and said it got him laughing, quashing speculation about his recovery and participation in upcoming tournaments.

Bumrah sustained a back injury during the Sydney Test against Australia, which forced him to leave the field mid-game. Reports initially claimed a swelling in his back, leading to a temporary setback in his recovery. According to a Times of India report, the 31-year-old was advised bed rest until the swelling subsides, putting questions over his availability for the Champions Trophy scheduled next month.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) who are yet to release an official statement on Bumrah’s condition, but it was reported that he is expected to visit the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for further assessments.

Responding to an post on X (formerly Twitter), “I know fake news is easy to spread but this made me laugh. Sources unreliable,” Bumrah said.

This reaction from the pacer shows confidence in his ongoing recovery, bringing hope for his timely return, while there are still questions about his fitness. Bumrah’s career has been affected by injuries over the past two years. A back issue sidelined him for 11 months, ruling him out of the 2022 T20 World Cup and the 2023 IPL season. Despite a brilliant comeback, his current condition has once again put India’s plans for the Champions Trophy at risk.

The team has already crossed the ICC’s January 12 deadline to announce their squad, and are required to finalize the list by January 18 or 19. The pacer's inclusion, depends on his recovery progress in the coming days.