New Delhi (TIP)- In what could be a huge blow to India‘s hopes of performing well at the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in Australia, premier paceman Jasprit Bumrah is set to be ruled out of the tournament with a back stress fracture, news agency PTI reported citing BCCI sources. While an official confirmation from the Board of Control from Cricket in India is awaited, the signs have not been great as Bumrah pulled out of India’s series opener against South Africa in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday, September 28.

BCCI had informed of Bumrah’s injury just minutes before the toss took place at the Greenfield Stadium. “Jasprit Bumrah complained of back pain in during India’s practice session on Tuesday. The BCCI Medical Team assessed him. He is ruled out of the first T20I,” BCCI had tweeted. Bumrah, who had also missed the Asia Cup due to his back problem, and was training at the National Cricket Academy, played the last two T20Is against Australia.

“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,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

India have the likes of Mohammed Shami and Deepak Chahar in the standby list for the T20 World Cup and one of them could be drafted into the main squad now. Chahar had a good showing the match against South Africa and could get the nod ahead of Shami due to his superior batting skills down the order as well. India’s death bowling has been an issue and captain Rohit Sharma himself has pointed it out. Veteran paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been under the pump due to his poor performances and the pressure to deliver will be on the shoulders of the young Arshdeep Singh and Harshal Patel in Bumrah’s absence.

Mohammed Siraj replaces Bumrah in T20I squad for SA T20Is

The All-India Senior Selection Committee has decided to rope in pacer Mohammed Siraj for India’s home assignment against South Africa after Bumrah sustained a back injury in the build-up to the first T20I between the two teams. Bumrah, who missed the entire Asia Cup 2022 due to a back injury, is currently under the supervision of the BCCI medical team.