Jasprit Bumrah is all set to end his 326-day wait when the star pacer takes on the field for India in the first T20I of the three-match series against Ireland on August 18, Friday in Dublin. Bumrah last played for the country in a T20I against Australia on September 25, 2022, and will return in the shortest format in a series with little context other than gauging the ace pacer’s readiness. Bumrah will also be leading the team in Ireland.

If the pacer was already going to be scrutinized upon his comeback, the focus will be intensified by the proximity of the ODI World Cup. Bumrah has played a few practice games and bowled at the nets in recent weeks, but how his body can handle the demands of international cricket remains to be seen.

Competitive cricket is a different ball game together. The demand of the body and mind is completely different, especially in international cricket. What Bumrah needs to do is take two things into consideration, adaption to the new demands both physically and mentally, and progression said the former Indian trainer Ramji Srinivasan.  

Bumrah has to start progressing slowly. The pacer has to take it game by game and that is very critical. Rhythm has to be found in a progressive manner. He cannot be overzealous. Bumrah has to build it up gradually. Coming back after a stress-related injury, there would be changes in his mechanics, Srinivasan added.

Over the last year, there have been a few false dawns on Bumrah’s journey to recovery. If India has to end their 10-year wait for an ICC trophy, they cannot afford another one.