Jasprit Bumrah Cleared for Sri Lanka Tests, Shubman Gill's Fitness Remains a Major Concern
India received a major boost as Jasprit Bumrah cleared his fitness assessment and was named in the squad for the Sri Lanka Test series. However, captain Shubman Gill remains under medical observation due to a recurring neck injury, raising fresh concerns ahead of India's crucial World Test Championship campaign.
July 31, 2026: The BCCI announced India's squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, with Jasprit Bumrah included after clearing his fitness assessment.
The star fast bowler had been under a cloud after suffering swelling in his knee before the third ODI against England, which forced him to miss the match. He later reported to the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, where he completed rehabilitation and underwent a series of fitness tests.
After successfully passing all the required assessments, Bumrah has been declared fit for the Sri Lanka tour. It comes as a major boost for Team India, as the pacer is expected to play a key role in the two-Test series.
Bumrah has not played a Test match since India's fixture against South Africa in Guwahati in November last year. According to sources, the team management has planned his return carefully, with the aim of gradually increasing his workload to help him adjust to the demands of red-ball cricket again.
A BCCI official said Bumrah is now fully fit and has cleared every physical test at the Centre of Excellence. The medical staff will continue to monitor his workload closely, with the pacer expected to begin with shorter bowling spells before returning to longer spells during the series.
The BCCI Centre of Excellence has announced that Jasprit Bumrah is match-fit after he successfully passed his fitness tests. He’d been sidelined after picking up an impact injury during the ODI series in England, but now he’s ready to go just in time for the upcoming two-Test… pic.twitter.com/Nle9KbYFuh
— DNA (@dna) July 31, 2026
Gill's Fitness Remains Under Watch
While Bumrah's return has brought relief to the Indian camp, Shubman Gill's fitness continues to be a concern.
The Indian captain has been dealing with a recurring neck problem that first troubled him during the Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens last year. The injury also forced him to miss the following Test in Guwahati.
According to board sources, Gill still experiences discomfort in his neck while batting for long periods. The issue has persisted for several weeks, and he is currently consulting outside specialists along with the BCCI's medical team to ensure a full recovery before the Sri Lanka tour.
The team management remains hopeful that Gill will regain full fitness in time for the series.
The upcoming Tests against Sri Lanka are crucial for India's World Test Championship campaign. India currently sits fifth in the standings and needs to win seven of its remaining nine Tests to stay firmly in contention for next year's WTC Final.
A 2-0 series victory in Sri Lanka would provide the ideal start before India faces a challenging away Test series against New Zealand later this year.
For now, Bumrah's successful return to full fitness has lifted the mood in the Indian camp. The focus now shifts to Gill's recovery, with fans hoping the captain will also be fit and available for the important Sri Lanka series.
