It is possible that Bumrah will miss the opening fixture against the US on Saturday, as he did not participate in the evening practice session of the Indian squad. Bumrah is feeling a bit off-color; there is every chance he will take rest for the next two days.

The team management strictly avoids taking risks with the playing abilities of Bumrah so early into the tournament. Bumrah does not bowl at training of the national team on February 6, and the team physician for the national team confirmed that he was slightly unwell. Considering the first game against the US should be relatively breeze, the management would probably keep Bumrah well-rested to face tougher challenges expected later in the group games.

Mohammed Siraj, who joined the squad on Friday evening, most probably will step in for Bumrah if he is unavailable in the playing XI. And with a new ball going the way of Hardik Pandya, Siraj might be used as the first-change bowler.

India now have a very busy schedule for the group stages of this tournament. The last game against Namibia is on February 12, and then there will be a four-day break before the next two matches, i.e., the clash against Pakistan on February 15 and the game with the Netherlands on February 18. Quite naturally, in the context of the current issues, the Pakistan game itself is questionable; hence the match with the USA is not as important as far as eventual qualification is concerned.

The management considers that Bulrah will be refreshed by a good long rest in order to ensure that there is something left in the tank for the latter part of the competition.