'He is ready': Suryakumar Yadav confirms Jasprit Bumrah's availability for 2nd T20I against Australia

In good news for the Indian cricket team and its fans, star Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah is set to make his comeback after more than two months on Friday (September 23) in the second T20I against Australia at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. The 28-year-old, who is India’s leading pacer in all three formats of the game, last played for the Men in Blue against England in the 2nd ODI of the three-match series at Lord’s on July 14. He was rested for the West Indies and Zimbabwe white-ball tours and then missed the Asia Cup T20 tournament due to a back injury.

Bumrah spent a considerable amount of time at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru in the last few days to complete his rehabilitation and get fit in time to feature in the T20 World Cup squad and also in a couple of series at home before that. He has been selected in the Indian squad for both the T20I series against defending T20 World Cup winners Australia and South Africa.

Despite being part of the Indian squad for the first T20I in Mohali, Bumrah didn’t feature in the series opener, which raised a couple of question marks about his fitness, but rubbing aside all the concerns on the eve of the second match in Nagpur, star Indian middle order batter Suryakumar Yadav has confirmed that the premier pacer is ready to return after recovering from his back injury and there is "absolutely nothing to worry about".

"Actually, I am not aware of any such communication. It is not my department. You should not ask me about it. These are for physios and team management to answer. But in the team, the environment is good and all are first-class fit and ready for the second T20I," Suryakumar said during a virtual press conference on Thursday when asked about Bumrah's match fitness and also where Umesh Yadav fits in the scheme of things.

When he was probed further on Bumrah, Suryakumar said: "Absolutely, he is ready; nothing to worry."

In the absence of Bumrah in the first T20I, India failed to defend the total of 208 runs. The Indian pace trio of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav and Harshal Patel along with fast-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya all conceded more than 11 runs per over. But the return of Bumrah in the must-win game for the Men in Blue will bolster the team’s attack.