Former New Zealand fast bowler and ex-Mumbai Indians bowling coach Shane Bond has issued a stark warning to Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah regarding his ongoing back injury.
Bond cautioned that another injury in the same spot where Bumrah had surgery could potentially be a “career-ender” for the Indian bowler.
This warning comes as Bumrah continues his rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, following a stress-related back injury that forced him to miss the Champions Trophy 2025.
Background on Bumrah’s Injury
Bumrah’s back issues began during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he played all five Tests and bowled extensively, including a marathon 52-over spell in Melbourne.
The injury, initially reported as back spasms, later emerged as a stress-related issue, ruling him out of the Champions Trophy.
This is not Bumrah’s first encounter with back problems; he underwent surgery in March 2023 and has been cautious about his workload since then.
Shane Bond’s Warning
Bond, who himself underwent back surgery at the age of 29 and continued to play until he was 34, understands the risks associated with back injuries in fast bowlers.
He emphasized the importance of workload management for Bumrah, suggesting that he should not play more than two Test matches in a row to avoid exacerbating the injury.
Bond highlighted the transition from T20 to Test cricket as a “danger period” for fast bowlers, citing the risk of injury when switching between formats quickly.
Impact on Bumrah’s Career
Bumrah is considered a crucial asset for India, particularly with the next World Cup in mind. His absence from the Champions Trophy was felt, and his return to fitness is eagerly anticipated.
However, Bond’s warning underscores the need for cautious management of Bumrah’s workload to prevent another injury in the same spot.
Such an injury could not only jeopardize his participation in upcoming tournaments but also potentially end his career prematurely.
Bumrah’s Current Status
Currently, Bumrah is undergoing rehabilitation and there is no clarity on his availability for the upcoming IPL 2025.
He is expected to miss the initial weeks of the tournament, which starts on March 22.
His return to competitive cricket will be closely monitored, with his participation in the IPL likely to be delayed.
