Jasprit Bumrah to miss Asia Cup game vs Nepal

India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will be unavailable for the team's Asia Cup game against Nepal, on Monday. Bumrah returned home from Sri Lanka for the birth of his son, but is expected to be back for the Super Fours, should India qualify.

Bumrah, who had recently gotten back from a well established back physical issue, is yet to bowl in an ODI in the number one spot up to the World Cup one month from now. He made his ODI rebound last week, yet couldn't bowl, as India's match against Pakistan was cleaned out before Pakistan could begin their innings. Generally, Bumrah played only two T20Is against Ireland since his rebound, bowling a joined eight overs and taking four wickets across both matches, and was named the Player of the Series.

That possibly leaves Bumrah underprepared for the responsibility in ODIs, where he wouldn't just need to bowl ten overs in every innings - given he is India's lead - yet in addition field for the excess 40 overs. This is one of the issues which previous India player Sanjay Manjrekar had likewise featured in front of the Asia Cup.

The last time Bumrah bowled his whole share of ten overs in an ODI was in July 2022.

Given the waste of time against Pakistan, India face a must-dominate game against Nepal in Pallekele, where downpour could hinder play once more on Monday. What's more, albeit the Very Four matches are planned to be held in Colombo, there are chances that the normal downpour could drive matches out from that point.