Breaking news from the Wankhede Stadium indicates that India will start their 2026 T20 World Cup campaign without their best fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah. According to a report from The Indian Express, Bumrah has come down with a viral fever. This illness forced him to miss the final training session just a day before the match.
Why Jasprit Bumrah Is Not Playing In India vs USA T20 World Cup Opener?
The team management initially hoped he would recover quickly. However, they decided to leave him out of the starting lineup to make sure his condition did not get worse. Sources close to the squad said Jasprit Bumrah showed up briefly at the practice ground. He did not do any drills, as the medical staff told him to rest.
So, the team gave Mohammed Siraj an urgent call-up to the final eleven to take Bumrah’s place. Siraj recently rejoined the squad after Harshit Rana got injured. He now has the tough job of leading the attack with the new ball. The decision is a safety measure.
The management wants to make sure Jasprit Bumrah is fit for the big games later in the tournament rather than risking him in the first match. Captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed the news at the toss. He stated that the team still feels good about their backup options, even without their star wicket-taker for this game.
Implications and Squad Depth Analysis
Missing Jasprit Bumrah definitely changes how India’s bowling looks. The opposition is the United States, a team India beat in 2024. Still, losing a bowler as accurate as Bumrah means the team has to rethink their plan. At 32, Jasprit Bumrah is the heart of India’s defence. Even so, the staff must watch his workload during such a long tournament. By resting him now, the leaders are making sure he stays fresh for the high-pressure games against tougher teams later on.
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Mohammed Siraj’s inclusion also brings a different feel to the bowling group. He might not have Bumrah’s unique style or his skill in the final overs. However, Siraj plays with a lot of energy and can get the ball to move on the Wankhede pitch. The pressure now shifts to Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya.
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They need to help Siraj and stay sharp against a USA batting order that has pulled off surprises before. This is a big test for India’s bench. It proves whether the squad can handle unexpected problems without losing their way. The team aims for a big win in Mumbai to get some momentum for the rest of the World Cup while their star bowler recovers on the sidelines.
