When Jasprit Bumrah's back injury caused him to be unable to compete in the premier competition last week, India suffered a severe setback ahead of the T20 World Cup. Bumrah had to withdraw from the Asia Cup last month due to back issues, but he made a comeback in the T20I series against Australia, where he played two matches. However, the BCCI announced his withdrawal from the South Africa series just minutes before the first T20I began, and it was later revealed that he had a "back stress fracture."
As a result of a knee injury, he acquired during the Asia Cup last month, Ravindra Jadeja was also forced to withdraw from the World Cup, dealing Team India its second major blow. Bumrah's withdrawal from the Indian team for the major international competition this month was addressed by former India head coach Ravi Shastri, who insisted that it is "unfortunate."
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"[It's] unfortunate. There's so much cricket being played, and people get injured. Bumrah is injured, but it's an opportunity for somebody else. There is nothing you can do with injury," Shastri said, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
Shastri, who led India from 2017 to 2021 and supervised a fantastic spell for the team, particularly in the longest format of the game, argued that Bumrah's absence also gives India the chance to "unearth a new champion."
“I think we have got enough strength and we have a good team. I have always believed if you make it to the semi-finals, it could be anyone's tournament. The endeavor would be to start well, get to the semis, and then you have got enough strength to probably win the [World] Cup, for all you know. Bumrah not being there, Jadeja not being there - it hampers the side - but it's an opportunity to unearth a new champion,” said Shastri.
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In preparation for the competition, the Indian squad traveled to Australia early on October 6 and would play two exhibition matches against Western Australia. In its two ICC exhibition matches prior to its opening match against bitter foe Pakistan on October 23, the team will also play Australia and New Zealand.