Jasprit Bumrah begins rehab following back surgery

The Indian fast bowler hasn't made a professional appearance for almost seven months

Jasprit Bumrah has started his rehabilitation after undergoing back surgery last month.

The Indian fast bowler underwent the procedure in New Zealand and remains "pain-free", according to a statement released by the BCCI.

He was advised by the specialist to rest for six weeks following the surgery and began his rehab management at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru on Friday (April 14).  

It has been almost seven months since the seamer made a professional appearance, with his most recent outing coming in a T20I against Australia in Hyderabad in late September.

He is expected to resume training and bowling in August, as the BCCI face a race against time to get their star bowler fit for the 2023 Cricket World Cup held in India.

^{Shreyas Iyer is set to undergo surgery next week, according to the BCCI [Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images]}

Bumrah was withdrawn from India's squad for a white-ball series at home to South Africa last September due to a stress fracture in his lower back.

He was expected to make his comeback in January's white-ball series against Sri Lanka but pulled out as the issues in his back re-emerged.

This injury has seen Bumrah miss the 2022 T20 World Cup, India's home Test series against Australia, and the 2023 IPL.

Given he is expected to make his return for the 50-over World Cup starting in October, Bumrah is also set to miss the World Test Championship final in June.

The BCCI have also confirmed that Shreyas Iyer is set to undergo surgery next week for the lower back issue that has troubled the batter ever since returning from India's tour of Bangladesh in December.