India pacer Jasprit Bumrah will have to wait longer to get back to competitive cricket. Previously assumed to be fit by April 1, Bumrah's return is taking more time than expected. The BCCI medical staff is being careful in managing his workload so as not to expose him to a risk of stress fracture in the back. Although Bumrah has started bowling in the nets at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE), he is yet to bowl at full speed. The board does not want to rush his return, as India has an important five-match Test series in England right after the IPL. The selectors are already preparing for the possibility that Bumrah may not be available for all five Tests. Bumrah got a lower back injury while playing the Sydney Test against Australia in January and hasn't played any cricket since. His injury proved to be worse than it seemed at first. Although he was included in India's Champions Trophy and ODI squad against England, he was replaced by Harshit Rana because of fitness issues. The BCCI wishes to make sure that Bumrah is completely fit before returning to competitive cricket so that he doesn't suffer more injuries that may keep him sidelined for a longer time. A BCCI source said: "Bumrah’s injury is a bit more serious. The medical team wants to ensure he doesn’t suffer a stress fracture. Bumrah himself is being careful. He is bowling at the CoE but it could take longer to get back in full swing. No definite timeline has been set yet, but one hopes he gets back by mid-April. Akash Deep too hopes to get back by April 10." Also Read | Shreyas Iyer Surpasses Sehwag in IPL Captaincy Record After LSG Win Akash Deep and Mayank Yadav On the Same Timeline as Bumrah Besides Bumrah, fast bowlers Akash Deep and Mayank Yadav are also recovering from injuries and will be at least another week before they return to competitive cricket. Akash Deep's Injury Update Akash Deep, who was also a member of the team during the Australian tour, experienced discomfort in his back and was unable to report to the playing XI. He has since then not played and is being monitored by the BCCI medical department. His return is delayed too as the board is being cautious so as not to reinjure him. Mayank Yadav's Recovery Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) pacer Mayank Yadav is also on the same recovery schedule as Bumrah and Akash Deep. He is being rehabilitated at the CoE, and like the other two bowlers, his workload is being gradually increased. Under the new standard operating procedure, a player would need to be cleared by both the medical unit and the bowling coach before being allowed back to competitive cricket. The medical unit determines whether the player is fit, and the bowling coach determines whether they are ready to execute at the level necessary. For the time being, Bumrah, Akash Deep, and Mayank Yadav are under close watch, and their return will be based on their fitness update in the next few days.