It could be a massive blow for Team India ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup as ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah could miss the showpiece event due to a back injury.
Bumrah didn’t travel to Trivanthapuram to play first T20 of the ongoing three-match series against South Africa.
Earlier before the first T20I, Bumrah had complained of back pain during India’s practice session on Tuesday.
“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 said in its statement before the first T20I.
As per reports, the BCCI is now consulting with its medical team and National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru about the pacer’s future. Meanwhile, it is also not clear whether the pacer will be undergoing operation.
“We have been told that his injury is not good and at the moment and it looks like he won’t be travelling to Australia with the Indian team. The medical team will submit detail report soon,” a BCCI official was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
Recently, Bumrah was forced to miss the Asia Cup due to his back injury. He was later declared fit for the three-match T20I series against Australia at home. The Indian pacer was out of international cricket since July this year.
After missing the first T20I against Australia in Mohali, he aapeared in the seocnd T20I and bowled two overs for 23 runs for just a wicket. In the final match of the series in Hyderabad, Bumrah leaked 50 runs from his allotted quota of four overs and remained wicketless.
In case Bumrah is ruled out of the T20 World Cup in Australia, the senior national selection committee will have to pick either Mohammad Shami or Deepak Chahar, who have been added as stand bye players for the tournament.