NEW DELHI: As India enter a critical phase in their bid to stay alive in the World Test Championship (WTC) race, Jasprit Bumrah and Shubman Gill are taking a cautious approach to regain full fitness ahead of the two-Test series in Sri Lanka starting on August 15.TOI understands that Bumrah will begin to gradually increase his bowling workload after suffering an impact injury during the ODI series in England, while Gill has sought help from specialists outside England. BCCI for his chronic neck problem.It is learned that Bumrah has developed swelling in his knee before the final ODI at Lord’s on June 19, but the medical team is confident that he will be ready for the first Test in Galle. The selectors picked him for the tour of Sri Lanka subject to fitness. The focus is now on preparing for the rigors of Test cricket.Bumrah has played little longer form cricket since the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati last November. He has only featured in T20 cricket, apart from two ODIs in England last month. Bumrah is currently at the Center of Excellence (CoE).“Bumrah will start bowling this week and his workload will gradually increase. He needs to get used to bowling longer again. The medical team of the CoE will monitor him closely, and the initial reports are that he should be good to start the first Test. These two Test matches are very important for India. Leaving even one Test here will put immense pressure on the team to qualify the WTC team for next year. in prime form for the series,” a BCCI source told TOI.As for Gill, it is learned that he has consulted specialists to deal with the neck pain that first flared up during his first innings in the opening Test against South Africa at the Eden Gardens. The problem eventually ruled him out of the rest of the series, which India lost 0-2. He also missed an IPL match due to recurring pain.“Gill has been battling neck pain for some time. It flares up every now and then, especially when he bats for a longer period. He has been consulting specialists outside BCCI for treatment and is much better now. It is an ongoing process. India felt his absence in that South Africa series.Sudharsan will resume batting next weekSai Sudharsan, India’s No. 3 batsman in Tests, has also been selected subject to fitness. He has recovered from a hamstring injury and will resume batting in the CoE next week. The BCCI medical team shared a positive report regarding his availability for the first Test.