New Delhi, Feb 28: Struggling to shake off his injury woes, Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the IPL for failing to fully recover from his back injury and is unlikely to make a comeback in the next six months, a BCCI source told PTI on Tuesday.

It's yet to be ascertained if the seasoned pacer, who also missed the T20 World Cup in Australia last year, would require a back surgery.

"Bumrah has been ruled out of the IPL as he will take another six months to come back. Even then, he might or might not make a comeback. The 50-over World Cup is the target, but that is also not guaranteed," the BCCI source said.

The development means that Bumrah is now also set to miss the World Test Championship final (if India qualify), which starts on June 7 at The Oval.

Bumrah was initially named in India's T20 World Cup squad.

The IPL is starting on March 31, and Bumrah has been the lead pacer for Mumbai Indians for many seasons now.

The ODI World Cup is scheduled in October-November in India.

The 29-year-old Bumrah has played only five Tests, five ODIs and as many T20Is in 2022, apart from IPL games for Mumbai Indians.

Bumrah, who has a slinging action, puts a lot of pressure on his back during loading. Former West Indies pace bowling great Michael Holding had assessed that Bumrah was always a candidate for back injuries.

Last year, he was ruled out of the Asia Cup due to the back injury. He was rushed back into the squad for the T20I series against Australia at home before the T20 World Cup, and he has not played cricket since then.

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Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s Director General of Police (DGP) Sheikh Darvesh Saheb has submitted a report to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recommending legal action against Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) M.R. Ajithkumar for allegedly making a false statement implicating a fellow officer.

The DGP’s report states that both civil and criminal cases could be initiated against Ajithkumar for falsely accusing ADGP P. Vijayan of having ties to a gold smuggling gang. Following the allegation, Vijayan filed a formal complaint with the state police chief, prompting a direct investigation by the DGP.

After conducting the probe, DGP Sheikh Darvesh Saheb exonerated Vijayan and recommended that Ajithkumar be held accountable for his misleading claims.

The development has political overtones as well. P.V. Anvar, a two-time legislator who was elected as a CPI(M)-backed independent, resigned from his post after his own complaint against Ajithkumar was dismissed by the CPI(M) leadership and the Chief Minister. Anvar has since joined the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and declared support for the Congress candidate in the upcoming Nilambur assembly by-election.

Anvar accused the ruling dispensation of shielding Ajithkumar, alleging, “If anyone believes action will be taken based on this report, they are living in a fool’s paradise.” He also claimed that CM Vijayan considers Ajithkumar his “third son.”

The controversy unfolds as DGP Sheikh Darvesh Saheb prepares to retire on May 30. With six officers under consideration to succeed him, Ajithkumar ranks sixth on the list—a position now clouded by the fallout from the DGP’s report.

The final decision on whether action will be taken against Ajithkumar now lies with Chief Minister Vijayan.