Mumbai: Team India will, indeed, be without the services of their most potent bowling weapn Jasprit Bumrah in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
There were reports of the fast bowler possibly missing the marquee event after pulling out of the opening T20 International against South Africa last week. He was subsequently ruled out of all three games of the series.
Coach Rahul Dravid and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly were, however, optimistic that Bumrah will recover. But that was not to be.
“The BCCI Medical team has ruled out Team India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup squad. The decision was taken following a detailed assessment and in consultation with the specialists. Bumrah, was initially ruled out from the ongoing Mastercard 3-match T20I series against South Africa due to a back injury,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a statement, adding that a replacement in the 15-member squad will be named soon.
Either Mohammad Shami, who has recovered from COVID-19, or Deepak Chahar is expected to board the flight to Australia later this week. Both were named as stand-byes in the World Cup squad.
India will open their account with a high-voltage clash against Pakistan at Melbourne on October 23.
