NEW DELHI: Jasprit Bumrah is set to miss next month’s Twenty20 World Cup in Australia, local media reported on Friday after the Indian bowler was ruled out of the ongoing home series against South Africa with a back injury.
The 28-year-old, whose unorthodox action and Yorker make him a valuable asset, recently missed the Asian Cup with the injury.
He played two 20-over home games against Australia earlier this month but sat out Wednesday’s Twenty20 game against South Africa after the injury flared up.
Local media quoted Indian Board (BCCI) sources as saying that Bumrah is now banned from the World Cup where the 2007 Indian champions will start their campaign on October 23 against arch-rivals Pakistan in Melbourne.
But BCCI spokesmen refused to confirm whether Bumrah had been banned from the World Cup, with secretary Jay Shah saying only that the bowler would miss the entire South Africa series.
“Bumrah has sustained a back injury and is currently under the care of the BCCI medical team,” Shah said in a statement on Friday.
Mohammed Siraj will replace Bumrah in the next two games against Temba Bavuma’s team.
India beat world champions Australia 2-1 earlier this month and are 1-0 in their three-game streak against South Africa.
Before the World Cup, however, her bowling was a cause for concern. With Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep Singh bleeding runs in the final overs, India had hoped Bumrah’s return from injury would plug that hole.
Rohit Sharma’s side are also unnerved by the fitness of batsman Deepak Hooda, who has been ruled out of the South Africa series with a back injury.