Asia Cup: Fully-fit Jasprit Bumrah returns home ahead of India's second group game against Nepal - Reports

The Indian Cricket Team will be without its ace seamer, Jasprit Bumrah, for their second group stage game against Nepal on September 4 in Pallekele, Kandy. As per the latest reports, fully-fit Bumrah is said to have headed home midway into the tournament after taking BCCI’s permission and will return ahead of the Super Four stage if India manages to qualify. Though no official word on the same is out, reports suggest Bumrah returned home due to some personal reasons.

His absence means India will bring another specialist, Mohammed Shami, into the side for the must-win game. Shami, who spearheaded India’s pace attack across formats in Bumrah’s absence since last September, was benched for the marquee clash against Pakistan as the team management decided against playing three pacers. Instead, they opted for a bowling all-rounder, Shardul Thakur, in the XI.

Bumrah missed all cricket action since September last year due to a back injury and even underwent surgery in New Zealand. Upon attaining full fitness, Bumrah returned to the cricketing setup during the three-match Ireland T20Is, where he captained the white-ball side for the first time.

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His exploits against the Irish side saw him returning to the ODI team for the Asia Cup. Although he didn’t get to bowl in India’s first game against Pakistan in Kandy, as rain washed out the match after India’s first innings, Bumrah would now miss the second match against Nepal and would return ahead of India’s first Super Four stage match (if they qualify) – scheduled for September 10 in Colombo.

Rain threat looms over India-Nepal clash

As the monsoon is at its peak in Sri Lanka, Kandy and Colombo – two chosen venues for this year’s Asia Cup, are likely to receive heavy rains in the coming days and weeks. As a result, India’s second group game against Nepal, scheduled to be played in Pallekele, is under the threat of suffering the same fate.

The weather forecast suggests more than 80% rain chances on Monday in Pallekele.

ALSO READ:ACC plans to move Asia Cup Super Four matches from Colombo to Dambulla due to heavy rains - Reports

While India already shared a point with Pakistan following the abandoned game, Nepal is yet to open its account after losing its opener against Pakistan by 238 runs in Multan. If India beats Nepal, they will cruise ahead with three points to their name.

Meanwhile, several reports also suggest the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is contemplating shifting the Asia Cup Super Four matches out of Colombo due to rain threats.

Dambulla, a dryer venue, is said to replace Colombo.

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