Reports: Jasprit Bumrah likely to be ruled out of Asia Cup with back injury

Jasprit Bumrah is likely to miss the upcoming 2022 Asia Cup due to a back injury. This will be a big blow for team India, who have already lost Harshal Patel to an injury. Harshal was part of India’s five-match T20I series against West Indies but failed to make a single appearance due to fitness issues. He is now set to miss both Asia Cup and is doubtful for T20 World Cup in Australia in October-November.

Bumrah last played for India in a three-match ODI series against England last month, where he took eight wickets in just two fifty-over matches. The Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to announce the squad for the 2022 Asia Cup on Monday. But now BCCI official has revealed that Bumrah is suffering a back injury and the management is not looking to risk the pacer ahead of T20 World Cup in Australia.

“Jasprit Bumrah has a back injury and will not play in the Asia Cup. He is our main bowler and we would like him to be back in action before T20 World Cup. We can’t risk him in Asia Cup and the injury could aggravate,” a senior BCCI was quoted by the Hindustan Times.

Bumrah’s and Harshal’s exclusion from Asia Cup will definitely hamper India’s chances to retain the trophy. The experienced Bhuvneshwar Kumar is likely to lead the Indian pace unit alongside the likes of Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, and Prasidh Krishna. Bumrah’s unexpected injury also boosts the chances of Mohammed Shami’s return to the T20I setup, who last played a T20I in November 2021.

Bumrah has previously struggled with back injuries and has missed a considerable amount of matches. He is now likely to be headed to Bangalore to start his rehabilitation work at National Cricket Academy (NCA). Bumrah has played only a Test and T20I each, and two ODIs since the conclusion of Indian Premier League 2022 in May.