India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the 2022 Men’s T20 World Cup with a back stress fracture.
The 28-year-old, one of the best bowlers in the world, recently pulled out of India’s T20 series against South Africa with a back issue.
India says the decision was taken after a “detailed assessment and consultation with the specialists”.
They are one of the favourites for the tournament, which begins later this month.
India is already without all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who has a right knee injury.
A replacement for Bumrah will be announced “soon”, the Board of Control for Cricket in India said, with Mohammed Shami and Deepak Chahar, the other pace bowlers on their reserve list.
The BCCI did not specify Bumrah’s injury, but the International Cricket Council called it a back stress fracture.
India’s first World Cup match is against Pakistan’s rivals at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 23 October.
The preliminary stage of the tournament starts on 16 October, before the main group phase follows on 22 October.
England’s opener is on 22 October against Afghanistan in Perth.
