Bumrah-injury

Gutted Bumrah responds to disappointing injury news

Bumrah-injury

Bumrah was ruled out of the four-week tournament on Monday with a back injury and will instead stay home in India while his team-mates travel Down Under for the showcase event.

The 28-year-old used his social media accounts to express the disappointment at the timing of his injury and wished his team-mates well in their quest for success in Australia.

"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," Bumrah's post read.

"As I recover, I’ll be cheering on the team through their campaign in Australia."

Bumrah was initially named to spearhead India's attempt at winning a second T20 World Cup crown and his absence is expected to hamper their chances of adding to the title they won in 2007.

The BCCI are yet to name a replacement for the right-armer, although fellow seamers Mohammed Shami and Deepak Chahar are among the players already on standby for the tournament.

Shane Watson discussed Bumrah's absence on the most recent episode of The ICC Review and the former Australia all-rounder believes India should instead opt for a different option.

"The player I would put in if Jasprit’s not available is Mohammad Siraj, because of the firepower he presents," Watson told host Sanjana Ganesan on The ICC Review.

"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."

India commence their T20 World Cup campaign with a blockbuster match against arch-rival Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 23.