Siraj replaces injured Bumrah for SA series

India brought in Mohammed Siraj on Friday for the remaining Twenty20 matches against South Africa to replace pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, whose World Cup is in severe doubt because of a back injury.

Bumrah missed Wednesday’s opening win over the Proteas and he is under the supervision of a medical team, the Board of Control for Cricket in India said. India start their T20 World Cup campaign in three weeks.

The 28-year-old has a stress fracture of the back, Indian media said, calling his withdrawal from the tournament in Australia a certainty.

India’s final two matches against South Africa are on Sunday and Tuesday, also at home. – AFP