The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that Jasprit Bumrah is ruled out of the T20 World Cup and said a replacement would be announced “soon”.
Bumrah missed the Asia Cup last month due to a back injury, which has also ruled him out of the ongoing T20I series against South Africa.
This is a huge blow to India’s chances.
Bumrah had made his return to India’s playing XI in the second T20I against Australia in September.
He had made a comeback to the national side after missing more than two months of action due to his back injury.
Sadly, his performances were below par.
In the second T20I, he registered figures of 1 for 23 in two overs and the second game saw him leaking 50 runs for no wicket in 4 overs.
Bumrah underwent recovery in NCA, Bengaluru but he could play only two matches on his return with the third T20I against Australia being his latest game.
However, Aussie cricket legend Shane Watson said that if Bumrah is not available for the tournament, he would pick Siraj for the T20 World Cup.
Watson feels Siraj brings a lot of firepower, and offers pace and bounce, which will be crucial in Australian tracks.
“The player I would put in if Jasprit’s not available is Mohammed Siraj, because of the firepower he presents.”
“Without Bumrah, that’s the one thing India won’t necessarily have, which is vital on Australian wickets on the bigger grounds with the pace and bounce.”
“Siraj is great with the brand-new ball. He is fast, he swings the ball away but also his defensive skills are pretty good. And he’s got better over the last couple of years, with what we’ve seen in the IPL. So, for me he’s probably going to be the one who is going to have the most impact,” Watson said.
However, Watson suggested that Bumrah’s absence might dampen India’s chances of lifting the T20 World Cup.
“Honestly, I think it’s going to have a huge impact on India’s chances of winning the T20 World Cup,” he added.
