Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup due to a back stress fracture, according to reports

Digital Desk: According to BCCI sources, India's premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup due to a back stress fracture. Bumrah was forced to miss the first T20I of the series against South Africa on Wednesday because he "complained of back pain during India's practice session." The absence of Bumrah from the T20 World Cup is a significant blow to the Indian team, which is already missing Ravindra Jadeja.

"Bumrah will almost certainly not play in the World T20. He has a serious back problem. He has a stress fracture and could be out for six months "On condition of anonymity, a senior BCCI official told PTI.

Bumrah had previously been forced to withdraw from the 2022 Asia Cup due to a back injury. He returned to the Indian team earlier this month for the T20I series against Australia, appearing in the second and third games of the series.

The 28-year-old fast bowler was named to a four-man pace bowling attack that included Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshal Patel for the T20 World Cup in Australia. With Bumrah reportedly ruled out, India is expected to select one of Mohammed Shami or Deepak Chahar, both of whom have been named as standbys for the marquee tournament.

Mohammed Siraj, who is currently playing County for Warwickshire, is another name making the rounds.

Earlier this month, Team India was dealt another blow when all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was ruled out of the T20 World Cup due to a knee injury. However, in his absence, Axar Patel delivered consistent performances in India's recent T20I matches against Australia and South Africa.

Bumrah's absence from the T20 World Cup is a major setback for the BCCI, which has gone to great lengths to wrap the Indian pacer in cotton wool. Since India's return to action following the 2022 Indian Premier League, Bumrah has played in only three T20Is out of the team's 24 matches. He appeared in six international matches for the side following the IPL, including a Test and two ODIs (all against England).

Bumrah, regarded as one of the best pacers in modern cricket, has appeared in 60 T20Is for India, taking 70 wickets, making him the country's second-highest wicket-taker in the format.