India have drafted Umesh Yadav into the Test squad for the three-match series against South Africa after Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out. The Board Of Control For Cricket In India revealed that Bumrah, the world’s number three-ranked Test bowler, had “sustained a minor stress fracture in his lower back”.
The 25-year-old paceman’s injury was detected “during a routine radiological screening,” the BCCI added. “He will now undergo rehabilitation at NCA (National Cricket Academy) and will be monitored by the BCCI Medical Team,” continued the statement.
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Bumrah has risen to become India’s premier paceman since his Test debut in 2018, claiming 62 wickets in 12 matches at an impressive average of 19.24. So his injury is a major blow to India as the selectors had already chosen to rest him for the limited-overs encounters against South Africa and the West Indies to keep him fully fit for the World Test Championship.
Yadav, 31, will be Bumrah’s replacement for the three five-day matches that commence on October 2 in Visakhapatnam. India squad: Virat Kohli (c), Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Shubman Gill.
