Jasprit Bumrah is only out of the T20I series against South Africa: Rahul Dravid

After BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid too has not entirely ruled Jasprit Bumrah out of the upcoming T20 World Cup. The speedster is suffering from a back injury which has ruled him out of the ongoing T20I series against South Africa but a call on his fitness and his availability for the mega tournament will be taken in the next couple of days. In the meantime, Mohammad Siraj has been called up to replace Bumrah in the squad for the South Africa series.

Before the second T20I against South Africa in Guwahati on Sunday (October 2), the Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team, Rahul Dravid spoke to the media to share his thoughts on Bumrah’s return. Even though the 49-year-old isn’t absolutely sure but shared an important update about the pacer.

“So as of now, (Bumrah) officially has been ruled out, as you know, from this series against South Africa. He has gone to the NCA. And we are waiting for the official confirmation on the next steps. So, as of now officially he is only out of this series, but we'll see what happens over the next few days. And once we get some official confirmation, then we'll be able to share that," Dravid said on the eve of the second T20I against South Africa in Guwahati.

Till I get official confirmation that he is ruled out, we will always be hopeful: Dravid

If Jasprit Bumrah indeed misses out, it will be a huge blow for India in the T20 World Cup. India's bowlers have looked shaky at the death recently and therefore the team needs Bumrah. However, Dravid doesn’t want to think about any other possibilities. In his recent press conference, the Head Coach said that he will always be hopeful until there’s an official confirmation.

“I honestly haven't gone deeply into the medical reports. I mean, I rely on the experts to tell me what is happening. He is being assessed. And we'll know in due course, whether what happens in the future. And obviously, till he is completely ruled out till I get official confirmation that he is ruled out, we will always be hopeful. We will always hope for the best not just for us as a team, but also just as individuals, we will always hope for the best for the remainder of the matches," Dravid said.