It has been reported that Jasprit Bumrah is likely to be drafted into the playing for the Nagpur T20I against Australia. Bumrah didn’t play in the first T20I at Mohali as the team management didn’t want to rush him. The gun fast bowler had last played for India in the ODI game against England back in July.

The ace paceman was ruled out of the Aisa Cup due to a back injury. Meanwhile, India posted a par score of 208 runs in the first T20I but they couldn’t defend their score because of poor death bowling and the hosts dearly missed the services of Bumrah, who is known to be accurate in the fag end of the innings.

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

Bumrah’s return to the final XI will definitely be a big boost for the team and the right-arm pacer will look to hit the ground running.

Meanwhile, Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya had also admitted that Bumrah’s absence was a big blow for them in the first T20I as the rest of the bowlers could not put the brakes on Australian batting.

“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,” said the India all-rounder.

Australia leads the three-match series by 1-0 and the second T20I will be played in Nagpur on Friday.