Jasprit Bumrah Eyes Stong Comeback After Stress Fracture Rules Him Out Of South Africa Series

The Indian cricket team's home season has not gotten off to a good start after news emerged that Jasprit Bumrah, the team's ace speedster, will not be part of the three-match Test series against South Africa due to a stress fracture on his lower back. Bumrah, who recently became the quickest to 50 wickets in Tests, was not picked in the three-match Twenty20 series which ended 1-1 against the Proteas. In his place, Umesh Yadav has been included but India will feel the absence of Bumrah, who was the star in India's overseas successes in West Indies and Australia. 

Bumrah took to Twitter to announce that he will come back stronger after this setback. "Injuries are part & parcel of the sport. Thank you for all your recovery wishes. My head is held high & I am aiming for a comeback that's stronger than the setback," Bumrah tweeted on his official handle. The Indian pacer could also miss the three-match Twenty20 International series against Bangladesh that will be played in November. 

Injuries are part & parcel of the sport. Thank you for all your recovery wishes. My head is held high & I am aiming for a comeback that’s stronger than the setback.ðŸ¦Â pic.twitter.com/E0JG1COHrz

— Jasprit Bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93) September 25, 2019

During the series against West Indies, Bumrah became the fastest to 50 wickets by achieving the feat in his 11th Test, surpassing Venkatesh Prasad and Mohammed Shami, who took 13 matches each to touch the mark. In the second Test at Jamaica, Bumrah became the third Indian player after Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan to take a hat-trick in Tests. 

Also Read | Jasprit Bumrah Reveals He Relies On Advice From Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami To Hone Skills

Bumrah also holds the record for taking his first four five-wicket hauls in first tours to Australia, England, South Africa and West Indies. Against South Africa, he took five wickets in Johannesburg to help India end their series on a high. Against England in Trent Bridge, Bumrah again took five wickets as India won the only Test in a series which they were routed 1-4. Against Australia, he was the star with 21 wickets in four games as India won a Test series for the first time Down Under. Against the Windies, he took 5/7 in Antigua and 6/27 in Kingston, with the Antigua haul being one of the cheapest five-wicket hauls by an Indian bowler in Tests.

Also Read | Jasprit Bumrah Will Be Indebted To Virat Kohli For The Hat-Trick: Harbhajan Singh

India will play the first Test against South Africa on October 2, followed by matches in Pune and Ranchi. This will be the first series for the Proteas in the new World Test Championship.

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