Why Jasprit Bumrah is not playing 1st T20I between India and South Africa?
Image Source: Twitter

Jasprit Bumrah set to play the 2nd T20I against Australia in Nagpur: Even after making a comeback to the Indian squad a few days ago, India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was left out of the playing11 against Australia in the 1st T20I held at Mohali. His absence in the opening T20I against Australia hasn’t settled well with the netizens as it had led to the whispers of him not recovering completely. 

The Indian management, later, clarified that they didn’t want to rush Bumrah straightaway for the match which is why he was kept shy of playing11.

Meanwhile, as per the reports, Jasprit Bumrah will be back in the mix of the first 11 players in the second T20I at Nagpur. The speedster will be seen in action on 23rd September against Australia, after a haul of two months.

“The team management did not want to rush him and that is the reason for his absence in the Mohali game.  He has been bowling full blast at the nets and he is ready for action,” said a source in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

If the reports come true, veteran pacer Umesh Yadav will have to be benched in order to draft Jasprit Bumrah into the playing11. 

Notably, Australia successfully chased down 208 runs total in the first T20I at Mohali. Indian bowlers looked rusty and were outperformed by the opposition at every phase of the second innings. Death bowling became a major issue, as always.

ALSO READ: Which team will win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022? Vote now!

Hardik Pandya, who scored a quickfire half-century in the 1st T20I, also provided an update on Bumrah’s availability after the match. 

“We all know what he brings to the side and how important he is for us. Obviously there will be concerns here and there, which is fine. We got to trust our boys, whoever gets the opportunities. These are the best 15 people you have in the country and that is why they are there in the squad,” said Hardik Pandya. 

“So Jasprit not being there obviously makes a big difference. Even if he is not there, (and as) he is coming back after an injury, it is important for him to get enough time to kind of come back. Maybe (he should) not put pressure on himself in whichever game he comes back and plays.”

ALSO READ: ICC T20 World Cup 2022: Pakistan Team Best SWOT Analysis, Squad, Predictions, Schedule. All You Need to Know.