“Mohammed Siraj Rolled His Ankle, Jasprit Bumrah…”: India Coach Drops Crucial Fitness Update Ahead Of Crucial Series
Team India’s preparation for the upcoming high-stakes international fixtures has hit a nerve-racking bump, as India’s head coach has delivered a significant fitness update involving two of the team’s premier fast bowlers—Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah. With the Men in Blue gearing up for a packed calendar that includes the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and a tour of Australia, the timing of this update has cricket fans and selectors equally anxious.
The Incident: Siraj’s Injury Scare
During a recent intense practice session at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, Mohammed Siraj was reportedly seen limping off the field after an awkward landing while delivering a ball. Speaking to the media shortly after, India’s head coach confirmed:
“Yes, Siraj did roll his ankle during our net session. It’s a minor strain, nothing too serious, but we’re monitoring him closely.”
The 30-year-old pacer, known for his energy and aggression with the new ball, has been instrumental in India’s recent success in both Test and limited-overs formats. His absence, even for a few weeks, could be a huge blow, especially with crucial matches lined up in the coming months.
Physiotherapists at the NCA have advised a short rest period, and Siraj is expected to undergo a precautionary MRI to rule out any ligament damage. The team management is understandably cautious, given India’s history of injury-riddled fast-bowling units.
Bumrah’s Status: Relief with Caution
On the brighter side, the coach provided a much-needed update on Jasprit Bumrah, India’s pace spearhead who has had a rollercoaster journey with injuries in the last few years.
“Bumrah is doing well. He’s completed two back-to-back high-intensity bowling sessions and looks sharp. We’re managing his workload, but there’s no cause for concern.”
Bumrah’s return to full fitness has been carefully handled by the BCCI after his lengthy layoff post-surgery in 2023. Since then, the ace fast bowler has made impactful returns in key series, showcasing his trademark toe-crushing yorkers and deceptive slower balls.
The coach also emphasized that the team is ensuring no risk is taken with Bumrah’s fitness, especially with him being the linchpin of India’s bowling attack across formats.
What This Means for Team India, Mohammed Siraj
With Siraj’s ankle concern and Bumrah’s ongoing workload management, the team management may need to rethink their bowling combinations for the upcoming tournaments. The situation puts added pressure on second-line bowlers like Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna, and Arshdeep Singh to step up, possibly even in crunch games.
Moreover, the coach hinted at the possibility of resting key pacers during the ODI leg of the upcoming tour, allowing them to remain fresh for the Test series and the ICC Champions Trophy.
“We’ve got depth, but losing Siraj even temporarily isn’t ideal. Bumrah’s in good rhythm, and we’ll rotate depending on match situations.”
Expert Reactions: Time to Prioritize Rotation?
Cricket pundits and former players have weighed in on the update, with many suggesting that India must now fully embrace rotational workload management to avoid breakdowns before major tournaments.
Former pacer Irfan Pathan noted:
“India’s fast bowling stocks are rich, but you can’t run them to the ground. Especially with someone like Bumrah—you have to play the long game.”
Others stressed the importance of nurturing emerging talents, giving them exposure in bilateral series while preserving seasoned campaigners for global tournaments.
Looking Ahead: Timeline for Mohammed Siraj Recovery
According to team sources, Mohammed Siraj is likely to sit out for 10–14 days, depending on how his ankle responds to initial treatment. If all goes well, he could return in time for the Test series against Bangladesh, followed by the highly anticipated series in Australia.
Meanwhile, Bumrah is expected to play a key role in the entire tour cycle but will likely be rested for at least one ODI or T20 to avoid overburdening him.
Fitness First, Glory Later
The dual update serves as a reminder of how vital fitness and workload management are in modern-day cricket. With India heavily reliant on its pace battery to win overseas matches, even minor injury scares like Siraj’s can cause ripples across the squad.
As fans hold their breath and the coaching staff keeps their fingers crossed, all eyes will now be on recovery rooms and rotation charts—because in elite cricket, fitness isn’t just an asset. It’s everything.
