Bumrah's career more important than T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma

image-l99m4a5rRohit Sharma & Jasprit Bumrah | Source: Twitter

India captain Rohit Sharma, on Saturday (October 15) shed light on Jasprit Bumrah's injury and said the team management didn’t want to rush their premier pacer's recovery for the T20 World Cup as his career is more important than the showpiece event.

Bumrah, who earlier missed the Asia Cup 2022 due to a back injury was initially named in India’s 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2022. However, after his back injury resurfaced during the home series against South Africa, Bumrah was ruled out of the mega tournament.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), on Friday, October 14, announced the senior pace Mohammed Shami as Bumrah’s replacement in the World Cup squad. He recently cleared a fitness test at NCA before flying to Brisbane where he joined the Indian squad ahead of the World Cup. 

Speaking at the press conference, held for the captains of all 16 teams at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Brisbane, Rohit Sharma revealed how the management decided not to take a risk with Bumrah's injury after discussing it with the medical experts. 

"Bumrah is a quality player, he has been playing very well over the years. Unfortunately, injuries happen. But you can't do anything about it.

"We spoke to a lot of specialists about his injury but we didn't get a positive response. World Cup. Yes, it's very important, but his career, for us, is more important. He is just 28 years old and he has a lot of cricket left in him.

"So, we can't take such risks. All the specialists we spoke to, also suggested the same. There is a lot of cricket left to be played. He will play a lot more matches and win a lot more matches for India in the future. There is no doubt about it. But his absence is a blow for us." 

Rohit Sharma passes an update on Mohd. Shami

The Indian captain also provided an update on Mohammad Shami, and spoke at length about his fitness and recovery process after the Uttar Pradesh cricketer tested negative for Covid-19: 

"Shami was down with Covid-19 two-three weeks back, he was at home, on his farm,

"He was then called over to the NCA, he went there and worked quite hard over the last 10 days. His recovery after Covid was very good. He had three to four bowling sessions. All in all, everything is good as far as Shami is concerned." 

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