India’s Jasprit Bumrah rejoins squad ahead of Asia Cup Super Four clash against Pakistan

Bumrah returns just in time

New Delhi: India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has re-joined the squad just in time for their Asia Cup Super Four encounter against Pakistan, scheduled for Sunday in Colombo. Bumrah had returned home following India’s tournament opener against Pakistan in Pallekele for the birth of his son Angad.

Unavailability for second league match

The pacer was unavailable for India’s second league match against Nepal, a rain-affected game that India won convincingly by ten wickets.

Practice session at R. Premadasa Stadium

As per a report in Cricbuzz, Bumrah will join the team for a practice session at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Friday evening. “Anticipating inclement weather, the Indian team may have to practice indoors, as they did on Thursday, unless the weather improves later in the evening, which has been the recent trend.” The report also mentions that there has been no rain in Colombo since Friday morning, raising hopes for a productive evening practice session.

Return for the India-Pakistan Super Four clash

Bumrah’s return comes at a time when the India-Pakistan Super Four clash, scheduled for September 10, has been given a reserve day. The pacer is yet to bowl in an ODI, as rain washed out the second half of the India-Pakistan league match last week. The last time Bumrah bowled his full quota of ten overs in an ODI was in July 2022 at Lord’s. The report explains that the weather outlook for the upcoming week is not very promising, with Colombo expected to receive heavy rainfall, including a 90 percent chance of rain on Sunday. This is why the Asian Cricket Council has decided to arrange a reserve day for the crucial match.

Upcoming fixtures

Following the game against Pakistan on Sunday and possibly Monday, if the match goes to a reserve day, India will face Sri Lanka at the same venue on September 12 and play against Bangladesh on September 15.