Bumrah begins preparations in Ahmedabad after T20 rest, set to return in England ODI series
Jasprit Bumrah Returns For England ODIs as the Indian fast bowler has officially stepped up his preparations by returning to red-ball training in Ahmedabad. The pace spearhead recently shared images on social media showing himself bowling with a red SG cricket ball, signaling that his focus has shifted toward the upcoming international assignments.
Bumrah has been away from international action since the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. While India played T20 series against Ireland and England, the team management rested the experienced pacer to help him recover and prepare for a busy schedule later in the season. He has been training with the Gujarat domestic squad during this break.
India’s selectors have now included Bumrah in the squad for the three-match One-Day International series against England, which begins on July 14, marking his long-awaited return to the 50-over format.
Set to Play His First ODI in Nearly Three Years
The England series will be a significant milestone for Bumrah, who last appeared in a One-Day International during the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup final against Australia on November 19, 2023. Since then, injuries, workload management, and a carefully planned recovery process have kept him out of ODI cricket.
His return against England will end a gap of 968 days in the format, making it one of the longest breaks in his international white-ball career.
Bumrah was also unavailable for India’s lone Test against Afghanistan earlier and was rested during the recent T20 assignments to ensure he is fully fit for the challenges ahead. In addition to the England series, he has also been selected in India’s squad for the upcoming Asian Games.
Difficult IPL Season Followed by Strong International Form
Although Bumrah remains one of the world’s premier fast bowlers, his IPL 2026 campaign did not produce the results fans have come to expect. Representing Mumbai Indians, he featured in 13 matches but managed to claim only four wickets throughout the tournament.
He finished the season with an average of 102.50 and an economy rate of 8.36, while his best bowling figures were 1 wicket for 15 runs. The numbers reflected a challenging campaign, but Bumrah’s reputation has long been built on his ability to bounce back after difficult phases.
T20 World Cup Performance Reaffirmed His Quality
Despite a below-par IPL season, Bumrah reminded the cricketing world of his class during the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
He emerged as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker after picking up 14 wickets in eight innings, consistently delivering crucial breakthroughs for India. His finest performance came in the final against New Zealand, where he produced a match-winning spell of 4 wickets for 15 runs.
His outstanding display earned him the Player of the Match award and played a major role in India’s successful title-winning campaign. The tournament once again highlighted Bumrah’s ability to perform under pressure on the biggest stage.
England Series Could Shape India’s Test Plans
The upcoming ODI series against England is expected to serve as an important step in Bumrah’s return to regular international cricket before India’s next Test assignment.
Following the England matches, India will travel to Sri Lanka for a two-Test series scheduled between August 15 and August 27. The opening Test will be played in Galle, while the second match is set to take place in Colombo.
With India aiming to strengthen its position in the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle, Bumrah’s fitness and rhythm will be closely monitored. As the leader of India’s pace attack, his availability remains crucial for the team’s ambitions across all formats.
A Crucial Return for India’s Bowling Attack
Bumrah’s comeback provides a significant boost to India’s bowling unit at a time when the team is preparing for an important stretch of international cricket. His experience, control in all phases of the game, and ability to deliver in pressure situations make him one of the most valuable players in the squad.
While the England ODI series marks his immediate return, fans and team management will also be hoping that the fast bowler remains fully fit for the demanding Test calendar ahead. If Bumrah quickly regains his rhythm, India will have one of its biggest match-winners back at the heart of its bowling attack.
