Bhuvneshwar Kumar ruled out of first three Tests against England

MUMBAI: The eight-wicket loss to hosts England in the third One-Day International at Leeds notwithstanding, Team India suffered a bigger blow on Wednesday when the selectors held back pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s name in the squad announced for the first three Test matches starting August 1.

“Bhuvneshwar Kumar aggravated a lower back condition in the 3rd ODI against England. His condition is being assessed by the BCCI medical team and a call on his inclusion in the Test squad will be made soon,” a statement issued by the Board read.

TOI, however, can confirm that Bhuvi has been ruled out of the first three Tests against England at – Edgbaston, Lord’s and Trent Bridge – and is in fact on his way back home. If ruled fit in August, he will join the squad once the squad for the last two Test matches is announced.

In the third and the final ODI at Leeds, Kumar barely touched 120 kmph as India failed to defend an insufficient 257-run target to lose the series 2-1.

Team India camp says the back injury that kept troubling Kumar during the IPL has resurfaced. BCCI’s Wednesday statement, that “Kumar aggravated a lower-back condition” – say BCCI officials as well as the Indian team management – was in reference to the IPL stint.
Bumrah kept on ice

Bhuvi’s injury isn’t the only factor Team India has been left to worry about right now, as the selectors announced
a jumbo 18-member squad on Wednesday afternoon. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who is part of this squad, and is expected to miss the first Test at Edgbaston, is at further risk of missing out on the second Test at Lord’s too, though it’s only a potential risk at this moment. It is for this reason that selectors decided to keep Mumbai bowler Shardul Thakur back in England post the ODIs.

Given the duration of the tour – five Test matches – the team is only thankful that Bhuvi’s injury did not resurface post the start of the series. “These injury risks are precisely the reason why we wanted the team to be announced only for the first three Test matches and an 18-member squad so that we can have players rolling,” said sources in the know of things.