The unfortunate injury to India’s premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah has ruled him out of the ongoing three-match T20I series against South Africa. However, while many expected T Natarajan to replace him in the squad, the BCCI instead roped in Mohammed Siraj which has left the Indian fans in shock.
India has suffered a major setback in their preparations for the World T20 with Jasprit Bumrah reportedly suffering from a back stress fracture, most likely ruling him out of the much-awaited tournament next month Down Under. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has not officially confirmed the extent of his injury, only stating for the time being that he is under the supervision of their medical team and won’t take any further part in the ongoing T20I series against the Proteas.
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Previously, Jasprit Bumrah missed the first game in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday for what Rohit Sharma called a ‘niggle.’To replace him in the squad, Mohammad Siraj has been called up for the remaining couple of T20Is. The right-arm quick last played in the game’s shortest format in February against Sri Lanka without much success.
Mohammed Siraj has played just five T20Is for the Men in Blue, managing just five wickets at a terrible economy of 10.45. The decision thus shocked many ardent Indian fans, who were expecting T Nataraj to make the team instead.
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T Natrajan recently returned from injury after being unavailable since the Indian Premier League and is set to play in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His economy rate after four T20Is is a much better 7.62 and has shown a real pedigree for bowling in the death as well. It remains to be seen whether the same dynamic remains intact for the World Cup as well.
Natarajan was Excellent in Australia Last time when We Played T20i Series there
Unfortunately INJURIES Damaged his Career 😔
@Puneite_ https://t.co/2ThpSxLwIZ
— Sulinder (🏆) (@Sulinder45) September 30, 2022
Please get back @Natarajan_91 🙏
Want to see nattu in indian jersey💙
He is the perfect replacement for bumrah @BCCI @SunRisers pic.twitter.com/ZIvMHV2tvI— Sudharsh (@Sudhars4249) September 30, 2022
@ImRo45 The player you should definitely consider as a replacement for Bumrah should be one who can bowl a lot of joker balls. Natarajan have some experience in Australia in that line #WC2022
— Thar Shan (@thar6255) September 30, 2022
Only one #natarajan deserve a place in #T20WorldCup2022 replacement of #JaspritBumrah …
He already showed his strength and ability in Australia so he deserves a place in #T20WorldCup2022 pic.twitter.com/CsJoRtgzuN— Twister (@NawleSachin) September 29, 2022
#Natarajan is the better replacement for #JaspritBumrah #T20WorldCup2022 pic.twitter.com/bmZPsWx5sR
— Rajesh (@chennailive2022) September 29, 2022
I do have a different option than the 4 you listed: personally, I feel why not bring back T Natarajan? Was prolific in IPL 2022: 18 wickets @ 22.56
And in 2020 T20I series he played in AUS, he got: 6 wickets @ 13.83 and 6.92 ER, in exact conditions the T20 WC will take place in
— 𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐘 🇺🇸🇮🇳 (@Sivy_KW578) September 30, 2022
Send Natarajan to Australia …….
He performed well in aus…….. @ImRo45 https://t.co/1tqhW02GgD— Lord Shaw™ (@Fire_cracker56) September 30, 2022
2 players Ready To Who replace the @Jaspritbumrah93 place in T20 World cup 2022. @Natarajan_91 (or) @umran_malik_01. https://t.co/Fhag3IpsrQ pic.twitter.com/cleYJljT5l
— Sunrisers Hyderabad FC (@fc_sunrisers) September 29, 2022
https://twitter.com/GyaaniCricketer/status/1575485666728628226?s=20&t=fcdHlme6sgtMqL6ldJuUNQ