India have been going through a crisis as far as fitness and injury issues are concerned. Fast bowler jasprit bumrahwho was given a long break after the IPL 2026, got injured again while playing in England. The 32-year-old missed the final ODI at Lord’s and was also ruled out of the Sri Lanka tour.

Former India batter Aakash Chopra called the pace bowler a genius and urged the team management to manage his workload better. Speaking on Doordarshan’s program called Indian Cricket Show, the48-year-old said,“If the team has a genius like Bumrah, and his body needs rest, and the workload has to be managed, then why wouldn’t you do it? It is a simple thing.”

Mumbai Indians star last played the longest format of the game against South Africa in November 2025. Jasprit has been a part of 52 Tests, claiming 234 wickets since his debut in early 2018. He has been a key figure in India’s memorable Test wins both home and away.

The 29-year-old Auqib Nabi was named as the replacement for the star pacer. The Jammu and Kashmir star bowler did well in the Ranji Trophy season last year, where he claimed 60 wickets. He also played a handful of games in the IPL 2026 season for Delhi Capitals but went wicketless.

BCCI source reveals Bumrah’s fitness update

According to a TOI report, Washington Sundar could also be ruled out of the Sri Lanka series due to fitness issues. One BCCI source speaking to the newspaper said that Centre of Excellence (CoE) didn’t want to put a time stamp on Jasprit Bumrah’s return to the game.

VVS Laxman recently defended CoE after the spate of injuries and constant criticism. “The CoE was working towards increasing Bumrah’s workload before the Lanka tour, but it was seen that he wouldn’t be ready on time. It has been a while since the player managed to handle the Test match workload, and hence extra care is being taken, and no timeline has been given,” a source told TOI.

The bowler has played two Tests against the Lankans, taking ten wickets with a best of 5/24 that came in the 2022 home series in Bengaluru. The right-arm seamer dismissed the likes of Kusal Mendis, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwell, and got his fifer when he got the wicket of Lasith Embuldeniya for one run.