Jasprit Bumrah, who was forced to withdraw from the T20 World Cup and the Asia Cup 2022 owing to a back ailment, has rejoined the national team after receiving rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.
Elimination of Jasprit Bumrah
The elimination of renowned pacer Jasprit Bumrah from the T20 World Cup on Monday dealt a serious blow to India’s hopes for the competition. A replacement would be appointed soon, the BCCI said in an official statement that acknowledged the development.
Bumrah missed the Asia Cup in 2022 as well because of a back issue, but he has since joined the national team following rehabilitation at Bengaluru’s National Cricket Academy. Prior to Australia’s cricket extravaganza, that begins on October 16, he was selected for the home T20I series versus South Africa and Australia.
T20Is versus South Africa
The pacer, who had played in the series versus Australia, was eventually ruled out of the T20Is versus South Africa. Because the news spread, a few of fans have criticised the cricketer over social media for being accessible for his franchise while neglecting his national obligations.
Bumrah, though, poked fun at the naysayers in a cryptic Instagram post. On Wednesday night, the pacer posted a picture to Instagram with the caption: “You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.”
Bumrah wrote a message for the fans a day post it was announced that the pacer wouldn’t be competing in the World Cup, stating his regret over the missed opportunity.
Tweet by Bumrah
“I am gutted that I won’t be a part of the T20 World Cup this time, but thankful for the wishes, care, and support I’ve received from my loved ones. As I recover, I’ll be cheering on the team through their campaign in Australia,” Bumrah tweeted
Announcement by BCCI
Although the BCCI has not yet announced a replacement for Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Deepak Chahar, and Mohammed Siraj continue to be the front-runners. For the South Africa T20Is, Siraj was brought in to replace Bumrah, whilst Chahar and Shami are reserves.
The announcement earlier this week that star speedster Jasprit Bumrah will be formally ruled out of the premier event due to a back ailment dealt a serious blow to India’s preparations for the forthcoming T20 World Cup. Bumrah had already missed the Asia Cup because of the same injury. Many supporters on Twitter have been making fun of Bumrah for just being accessible for his franchise Mumbai Indians within the Indian Premier League however not for Team India ever since the pacer’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup became public.

Previously, Bumrah’s back condition precluded him from participating in the Asia Cup. His worst T20I numbers came in his most recent T20I, the third and final game against Australia, where he gave up 50 off four overs. 

Stress fracture has prevented India speed spearhead Jasprit Bumrah from competing in the T20 World Cup, which begins on October 16 in Australia.

Bumrah’s back issues

Bumrah had previously been unable to participate in the Asia Cup due to a back problem. He had given up 50 off four overs during his final T20I on September 25, which was the third and final game against Australia. Those were his worst T20I stats.

BCCI says

He is being monitored by the BCCI’s medical department. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reluctant to gamble with the fitness of one of their key players throughout a World Cup due to his recurrent back injury. They said that he just joined the Indian team again, however, before the T20s against South Africa, he reported back problems and was left off the roster for the opening T20I. 

Bumrah will be sidelined for at least 4 to 6 weeks, the medical staff determined after evaluating him. A BCCI insider said that no one can set a healing timetable for such injuries. He stated that it seems extremely improbable that he would go to Australia right now.

Mohammed Shami as backup

Mohammed Shami, who was once referred to as a backup, is now involved. Shami, though, was unable to participate in the T20I matches against South Africa and Australia due to his slow recovery from Covid-19.

Notably, Bumrah remained absent from the selection for the home T20I series versus Australia and South Africa despite missing the Asia Cup during September and August due to a back issue. 

Prior to missing the opening match versus South Africa on September 28 owing to back pain, the right-arm pacer performed the second and the third T20Is against the Australians on September 23 and 25, recording statistics of 1 for 23 with 0 for 50.

Waiting for BCCI statement

Although the Board of Control from Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet provided an official statement, the situation appears to be bad given that Bumrah withdrew from India’s first T20I match versus South Africa on Wednesday within Thiruvananthapuram. Not to forget, Bumrah’s injury had been reported to the top Indian board just moments prior to the toss at Greenfield Stadium.

Bumrah’s setback with his injury raises concerns about India’s bowling lineup leading up to the important event. Following Ravindra Jadeja, who is healing from knee surgery, Bumrah is the second player who has been ruled out.

The squad of India T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma (capt), Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), KL Rahul (vice-capt), Suryakumar Yadav, Virat Kohli, Deepak Hooda, Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (subject to confirmation by BCCI), Arshdeep Singh.

Reserve players: Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Chahar.

Implementing Alterations in Line up

India could implement alterations to its line up until October 15 because it is one of the teams which has qualified again for the World Cup’s Super 12 round.

Returning to the T20 World Cup roster for India, the Men in Blue have two backup fast bowlers in Deepak Chahar and Mohammed Shami. India has till October 15 to make any changes to their lineup without getting ICC approval because teams who have already directly advanced to the Super 12 phase of the competition don’t need to do so.

Conclusion

Bumrah, who is recovering from knee surgery, is the second important player to be sidelined following Ravindra Jadeja. Bumrah missed the opening T20 match versus South Africa on Wednesday but, the following day, travelled to Bengaluru’s National Cricket Academy to have his back problem assessed.