T20 World Cup 2022: Stress Fracture Might Have Been There Already - Wasim Jaffer Opines About Pacer Jasprit Bumrah

India’s star pacer Jasprit Bumrah is likely to be ruled out of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022. The 28-year-old suffered a serious back stress fracture injury which will keep him out of action for at least four to six months. Team India’s opening game against Pakistan is set for October 23 (Sunday) at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

According to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the remainder of India’s T20 series against South Africa. Mohammed Siraj replaced Bumrah for the remainder of the South Africa series.

They Jumped The Gun Too Early – Wasim Jaffer

The star Indian fast bowler had earlier ruled out the Asia Cup 2022 due to a back injury. Wasim Jaffer has opined that the Indian team management rushed him into the playing XI for the Australia series.

“The stress fracture might have been there already; not to that extent, but it probably got worse after him playing a couple of games under that pressure. They kind of jumped the gun too early or made him play those games a little early,” Jaffer told ESPN Cricinfo.

They Have Rushed Him Into Playing Against Australia – Wasim Jaffer

Jasprit Bumrah had a forgetful outing in the Australia series. The ace pacer delivered an impactful performance in the second T20I, dismissing Aaron Finch with a searing yorker. However, in the series decider between India and Australia, he conceded 50 runs in four overs and went wicketless.

“I just feel that probably in hindsight, I would say whether they have rushed him into playing against Australia, if at all I can say that. He might have taken a bit more time and probably got ready for the World Cup. I don’t know the seriousness of the injury but that’s what I feel, whether they kind of pushed him too early to play and then obviously, it reoccurred,” Jaffer added.

Deepak Chahar could replace Bumrah in the World Cup squad if he misses the multinational tournament. India’s 15-man squad initially had four frontline pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Mohammed Shami and Deepak Chahar are on the standby list.

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