'Blessing in disguise', Glenn McGrath confident Jasprit Bumrah will hit top gear on return

India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will return to international cricket after almost a year on the sidelines following a lower back stress fracture. He will lead India in India vs Ireland T20s.

After almost a year on the sidelines, Jasprit Bumrah is all set to return to action this month against Ireland in T20s. With Asia Cup 2023 and World Cup 2023, it was the boost India Cricket Team was looking for. While some might call him undercooked going into two mega events, legendary Australian pacer Glenn McGrath is of a different belief. He believes the long injury layoff will be a blessing in disguise as it will allow him to return afresh to international cricket.

“It depends on how the injury is and the sort of expectations he has. I think he will be fine since he is a quality bowler,” Glenn McGrath said in a media interaction during his visit to the MRF Pace Foundation academy.

Jasprit Bumrah took nearly a year to recover from a lower back stress fracture. His last appearance for India was in September 2022 in a T20I against Australia. But now, the 29-year-old is set to lead India in a three-match T20I series against Ireland later this month.

”The layoff will help him, I think. Fast bowlers need that layoff and time to get the strength back in their bodies. It depends on the work he has done off the field, how his back is and if he has done anything to his action. I think he has been there before and he has achieved it,” said McGrath.

The Australia with 949 international wickets said he will be watching Bumrah closely.

“I haven’t seen him bowl. So, time will tell. Only he knows where he is now. So, I will be watching him keenly to see him get back to where he was. The effort and energy he puts in take a toll on the body. If he has put enough work on the field, I can’t see a reason why he cannot go back to being where he previously was,” he added.

McGrath said Bumrah should be able to maintain the same intensity and pace upon his return, considering his experience and quality.

“He’s got enough experience. He has enough games before the World Cup to test himself. Eleven months is a long time out of the game, but if you are coming off an off-season and you want to get into it, hopefully, that only takes a few games,” he noted.

Jasprit Bumrah Injury Timeline

July 2022: Bumrah reported a back problem after the 2nd ODI against England in July 2022 and missed the 3rd ODI. Upon further consultation, it turned out to be a re-emergence of the back injury that he suffered in 2019.
August 2022: Missed the ODI series in West Indies. Returned to the NCA after his back issue flared up.
August 2022: Bumrah missed the Asia Cup as he failed to recover in time.
September 2022: After a two-and-half-month recovery, Bumrah rushed to return to the South Africa series ahead of the T20 WC.
September 2022: After bowling just 6 overs in two T20s, the move backfired as Bumrah aggravated the injury.
October 2022: Bumrah was ruled out of T20 World Cup entirely.
November 2022: The pacer missed the New Zealand tour.
December 2022: He also missed the Bangladesh tour.
January 2023: Although he was set to return in Sri Lanka ODI series, he complained of a stiff back at the NCA.
February 2023: Jasprit Bumrah missed the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
March 2023: Misses IPL 2023 and goes for back surgery in New Zealand instead.
June 2023: Continues with rehab post-surgery and misses the WTC Final 2023.
July 2023: Begins bowling at full tilt at the NCA and set to return for IND vs IRE T20s.
August 2023: Bowls in practices matches at NCA. Selectors pick him to lead India against Ireland in T20s.