March 8, 2023๐ Turning Pointtap to expand
Back surgery in Christchurch
Bumrah undergoes successful lower back surgery in Christchurch, New Zealand, performed by Dr. Rowan Schouten. He is expected to be out for six months.
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The injury that almost ended Bumrah's career โ and the comeback that defined it
From a career-threatening back surgery in March 2023 to leading India in a T20I series five months later โ the inside story of Jasprit Bumrah's remarkable recovery.
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A scalpel in Christchurch, a dream on the line
On March 8, 2023, Jasprit Bumrah lay on an operating table in Christchurch, New Zealand. Orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Rowan Schouten performed a lower back surgery that would decide the future of India's premier fast bowler. Bumrah had battled back injuries for years โ a stress fracture in 2019 sidelined him for four months, and recurring issues forced him to miss the T20 World Cup in 2022. Now, after the surgery, the BCCI estimated a six-month recovery. He would miss IPL 2023, the World Test Championship final, and the Asia Cup. But Bumrah's comeback was faster than anyone expected. By August 2023, he led India in a T20I series against Ireland. The journey from scalpel to captaincy took just five months.
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The 2019 stress fracture that first raised alarm
Bumrah's back troubles began in 2019 when he suffered a lower-back stress fracture. The injury forced him out of cricket for four months. At the time, it seemed like a temporary setback for a young fast bowler. But the stress fracture was a warning sign. Bumrah's unique bowling action โ a slingy, hyperextended release โ puts immense pressure on his lower back. Experts warned that without careful management, the problem could become chronic. Bumrah returned in late 2019 and continued to perform at the highest level. However, the underlying vulnerability remained. In September 2022, back issues resurfaced, and he missed the T20 World Cup in Australia. Chief selector Chetan Sharma later admitted that Bumrah was rushed back into action before the tournament โ a decision that may have worsened the injury.
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The surgeon, the physio, and the patient who refused to quit
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