Fit-again Bhuvneshwar Kumar included in India A squad
Kumar has missed the first three matches of India’s ongoing Test series in England, which the hosts are leading 2-1, and did not feature in the squad for the last two Tests, announced by the selectors last week.
However, he can, one presumes, still be called up if he proves his fitness in the 50-over clash against South Africa A in Bengaluru.
UPDATE: Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been declared fit & will be a part of the India A squad in the ongoing Quadrangular series. He will feature in the side's next fixture against South Africa A. pic.twitter.com/4TXF7jBU9i
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) August 27, 2018
Kumar has been troubled by the lower back problem for a while. He sat out of the Nidahas Trophy – the Twenty20 International tri-series in Sri Lanka – to rest his back, and then his workload during the Indian Premier League 2018 that followed was carefully managed, with Kumar sitting out of a few matches. He also missed the one-off Test against Afghanistan.
However, having missed the first two one-day internationals of a three-match series in England, the management opted to play Kumar in the third ODI, during which he aggravated the injury.
He was then sent back to India to rehabilitate at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, where he spent the last four weeks recuperating.
"Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami will remain my opening bowlers in Bhuvneshwar Kumar's absence” – Michael Holding.
— ICC (@ICC) August 25, 2018
READ ⬇️https://t.co/bM2c4ACwFW pic.twitter.com/iDxa42aPH3
Kumar was India’s best bowler when they toured England in 2014, picking up 19 wickets in five Tests at an average of 26.63.
England lead the series after winning the first two Tests at Edgbaston and Lord’s, but India fought back with a 203-run victory at Trent Bridge to keep the series alive.
The fourth Test will begin at Ageas Bowl in Southampton on Thursday.