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NEW DELHI: As India enter a critical phase in their bid to stay alive in the World Test Championship (WTC) race, Jasprit Bumrah and Shubman Gill are taking a cautious approach to regaining full fitness ahead of the two-Test series in Sri Lanka starting Aug 15.TOI understands that Bumrah will begin gradually increasing his bowling workload after suffering an impact injury during the ODI series in England, while Gill has sought help from specialists outside the BCCI for his chronic neck problem.It is learnt that Bumrah developed swelling in his knee before the final ODI at Lord’s on June 19 but the medical team is confident he will be ready for the first Test in Galle. The selectors picked him for the Sri Lanka tour subject to fitness. The focus is now on preparing him to endure the rigours of Test cricket.Bumrah has played little longer-format cricket since the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati last Nov. He has featured only in T20 cricket, apart from two ODIs in England last month. Bumrah is currently at the Centre of Excellence (CoE).“Bumrah will start bowling this week and his workload will be gradually increased. He needs to get used to bowling longer spells again. The medical team at CoE will be closely monitoring it, and the initial reports are that he should be good to start the first Test. These two Test matches are very important for India. Dropping even one Test here will put immense pressure on the team to qualify for the WTC final next year. That’s why the team management wants Bumrah to be available in prime shape for the series,” a BCCI source told TOI.As for Gill, it is learnt that he has been consulting specialists to address the neck pain that first flared up during his first innings in the opening Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens. The problem eventually ruled him out of the rest of the series, which India lost 0-2. He also missed an IPL match because of the recurring pain.“Gill has been battling the neck pain for some time. It flares up every now and then, especially when he bats for a longer period. He has been consulting specialists outside BCCI for treatment and he is much better now. It’s an ongoing process. India felt his absence in that South Africa series. That’s why he has taken a cautious approach in addressing the chronic issue,” the source said.Sudharsan set to resume batting next weekSai Sudharsan, India’s No. 3 batter in Tests, has also been selected subject to fitness. He is recovering from a hamstring injury and will resume batting at the CoE next week. The BCCI medical team has shared a positive report regarding his availability for the first Test.
