India’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign may begin with a little worry as Jasprit Bumrah is reportedly not a certainty for the opening match against the United States in Mumbai.
According to a PTI report, India’s pace leader missed Friday’s practice session after feeling unwell and running a mild temperature. Bumrah did not jump into the net and although there is no sign of a serious problem team management may have decided not to take any premature risk with his most valuable fast bowler.
With a long tournament ahead of us and tougher matches to come quickly, India may see the USA game as an opportunity to be cautious rather than Bumrah rushing back immediately.
Who will play India vs USA if not Bumrah?
If Jasprit Bumrah fails to shake off the illness in time, Mohammed Siraj is a pioneer who will walk straight into the Indian XI. The seamer only joined the team on Friday night but remains India’s closest replacement in terms of pace and experience.
The timing of the situation is also important. India’s group stage calendar is tight, with Namibia on February 12, Pakistan on February 15 and the Netherlands on February 18. With a high-voltage India-Pakistan build-up looming, managing workload and avoiding unnecessary risks soon becomes a priority.
With Hardik Pandya expected to handle the new ball, Siraj could be used a little differently, probably as a first-change bowler rather than a direct opening partner. This role would still allow India to maintain a strong pace even in the middle overs even without Bumrah.
India have already dealt with one injury setback, with Harshit Rana ruled out following a knee problem in the warm-up, necessitating Siraj’s cover. For now, all eyes remain on Bumrah’s recovery and whether India will choose caution over urgency in their first outing.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
February 7, 2026
