Jasprit Bumrah didn’t feature in the first T20I against Australia for India as the team management didn’t want to rush him after a long injury layoff. However, the pacer is expected to be fit for the second T20I against Australia on Friday.

Jasprit Bumrah’s absence was all the Indian cricketing fraternity could talk about as the Men in Blue went down fighting against Australia in the first T20I on Tuesday. With Jasprit Bumrah still not 100% fit, Umesh Yadav took up his spot in the team as the third pacer but didn’t quite manage to impress.

Jasprit Bumrah Will Take Up The Spot Of Umesh Yadav In The 2nd T20I Against Australia

In fact, the likes of Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Umesh Yadav all leaked plenty of runs, with each of the three ending up with an economy rate of over 10 per over. However, there’s a good piece of news ahead of the second T20I as Jasprit Bumrah has reportedly been declared fit to be a part of the playing XI.

As per a report, Jasprit Bumrah will take up the spot of Umesh Yadav in the team, with Harshal Patel and Bhuvneshwar Kumar being the other two pacers.

“The team management did not want to rush him and that is the reason for his absence in the Mohali game,” a source in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said about Jasprit Bumrah’s absence in the first T20I.

“He has been bowling full blast at the nets and he is ready for action,” the source further said ahead of the second match of the series.

The Indian bowlers were terribly off colour in the first T20I vs Australia, as all of them apart from Axar Patel went for more than 11 runs an over. Umesh Yadav, who made his return to the Indian playing XI in T20Is after three years, also failed to leave an impression.

Umesh Yadav, who made his return to the Indian playing XI in T20Is after three years, also didn’t impress in spite of picking up the wickets of Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell in the same over. In fact, he finished with figures of 2/27 in 2 overs, going at 13.5 runs per over.

Hardik Pandya: Jasprit Bumrah’s Absence Makes A Big Difference

Hardik Pandya, who attended the press conference after India’s defeat in the series opener in Mohali, admitted that the team missed Jasprit Bumrah who arguably remains the best pacer in the world when it comes to the shortest format.

“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.”

“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,” Hardik said as India failed to defend a total of 208 runs.

In this T20 series against Australia, the main focus is on fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who is returning to the national team after recovering from a back injury. Jasprit Bumrah played his last international match against England almost two months ago.

The right-arm fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah was injured just before the Asia Cup 2022. He went to the NCA and focused a lot on his fitness.