Jasprit Bumrah’s back injury: A timeline

The BCCI confirmed in a statement on Monday, October 3, that Jasprit Bumrah will not play in the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup. His troubles with back injuries kept him out of the Asia Cup 2022 and the recent series against South Africa.

The BCCI said that the decision to drop Bumrah was taken after a “detailed assessment” by the medical team, and his replacement for the 2022 World Cup squad will be announced soon.

The Indian pacer has been suffering from a persistent back injury since September 2019 and missed several important series for India. Bumrah’s absence will be a big blow for India’s bowling unit in the 2022 World Cup where the absence of Mohammad Shami has already irked many fans. 

Also read: Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of T20 World Cup, BCCI says

Here is a timeline of Bumrah’s back injury.

2019 West Indies tour

Bumrah got injured with a lower back stress fracture when India was touring West India in September 2019. Subsequently, he was out for the rest of the year missing the Test series against South Africa and Bangladesh, and the ODI series against Bangladesh, West Indies and Sri Lanka. He returned in India colours in January 2020 when India visited New Zealand.

July 2022, England tour

India was touring England with Bumrah in the squad when it was announced that Bumrah will be out of the West Indies series that came next. The pacer also did not start the final ODI against England in Manchester due to a “back spasm”. 

August 2022, Asia Cup

The fact that the injury was becoming a persistent issue for Bumrah became clear when he was not included in India’s squad for the 2022 Asia Cup. It was said then that the pacer is suffering from a back injury and undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

 September 2022, Australia Series

When the squad came out for the T20I series against Australia and South Africa, Bumrah’s name was in it. However, his troubles from back injuries continued as he missed the opening match against the Aussies. He then returned for the second and the third games against Australia, which gave fans hope that he might be included in India’s 2022 World Cup squad.

Also read: T20 World Cup 2022: SWOT analysis of India

September 2022, World Cup squad and South Africa series

Bumrah was included in India’s World Cup squad when BCCI first announced it on September 9. However, three days ago it was announced that he will not be in the squad for the South Africa series and Mohammad Siraj will replace him.

While announcing his absence from the South Africa series, India Men’s team coach Rahul Dravid had said that Bumrah was being assessed and a decision will be taken later.

“As of now, officially he is only out of this series”, the former Indian skipper said at the pre-match press conference, “but we will see what happens over the next few days. And once we get some official confirmation, then we will be able to share that.”