Blow for India! Jasprit Bumrah set to miss T20 World Cup 2022 with back stress fracture

Mumbai, September 29: Jasprit Bumrah is all set to miss the trip to Australia for the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 because of a back stress fracture.

It may be recalled that Bumrah did not play in the first T20I against South Africa in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday (September 28) and India skipper Rohit Sharma attributed to a niggle that he suffered during the training session.

“Jasprit Bumrah is out of T20 World Cup with back stress fracture,” the PTI quoted BCCI officials on Thursday (September 29). “Bumrah is not going to play the World T20 for sure. He has a serious back condition. It's a stress fracture and he could be out for a period of six months,” the BCCI official said.

Bumrah, who played two T20s against Australia, didn't travel with the team to Thiruvananthapuram for the series opener against South Africa. Bumrah is the second senior star player to be ruled out after Ravindra Jadeja, who is recovering from a knee surgery.

Even though there is no surgery is planned at this stage, the recovery process may take anywhere between 4 to 6 months. Bumrah will travel to Bangalore where he will undergo scans before deciding the course of treatment and recovery.

Mohammed Shami, who is originally in the back-up squad, could now be drafted into the main squad.

The absence of Bumrah will be a massive blow for India especially in the end overs. Though India had won the home T20I series against Australia 2-1, there were concerns about the team’s ability to block runs in the 18th, 19th and 20th overs.

This was a major concern for India in the recently concluded Asia Cup 2022, as the team failed to enter the final of the tournament held in the UAE.

Bumrah’s return in the series against Australia from a length lay-off had given India an edge in the bowling department. But the relief did not last long as the pacer has now been ruled out for at least 4 months.