India batter Suryakumar Yadav has hinted that ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah will be back in the Men in Blue playing XI for the second T20I against Australia, quashing rumors about his fitness issues. Bumrah didn’t play in the 1^st T20I, which India lost by 4 wickets despite making 208/6 batting first.

Jasprit Bumrah had missed the West Indies tour and the Asia Cup 2022 after suffering from back spasms post the England tour and had a rehab stint in the NCA in Bengaluru. The team management decided to give him some more time to recover and didn’t pick him in the first T20I.  

“Actually, I am not aware of any such communication, it is not my department, you should not ask me about it (laughs), these are for physios and team management to answer. But in the team, the environment is good and all are first-class fit and ready for the second T20I,” Suryakumar said during a virtual press conference when asked about Bumrah.

When he was probed further on Bumrah, Suryakumar said: “Absolutely, he is ready, nothing to worry.”

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Indian bowlers were hammered by Cameron Green and Matthew Wade as Australia managed to conquer the 209-run target easily despite being 145/5 in the 15^th over. Green made 61, while Wade made 45* in 21 balls as Australia won by 4 wickets and went 1-0 up in the three-T20I series.

However, Suryakumar came out in defense of the bowlers.

“Actually, after the last game, we didn’t have any discussion but as you have seen last day the match went on long and there was also dew, and you also have to give credit to them, they kept attacking, we are trying our best,” he said.

Harshal Patel, who made his comeback from injury went for 49 runs in his 4 overs, and veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar went for 52 runs, including 16 runs in the 19^th over he bowled. Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal picked 1/42 in 3.2 overs.

Asked if any particular role has been assigned to him to attack the spinners in middle orders, Suryakumar quipped: “I have hit two sixes against fast bowlers also, so I should get a little credit for that, what say? I’m very flexible, no particular role. Actually, plan myself for every situation. I am flexible to bat in anywhere, whichever number I’m asked to bat, I know I just have to do my role and I am happy to do it.”

India and Australia will play the second T20I in Nagpur on Friday, Sept 23.

(PTI inputs)