IND v SA 2022: “Opportunity for someone else to stand up,” Dravid on Bumrah’s absence from T20 World Cup

Bumrah has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup with a back injury.

Jasprit Bumrah | GettyIndia head coach Rahul Dravid on Tuesday (October 4) acknowledged that ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah getting ruled out of the upcoming T20 World Cup is a “big loss” for the team but said it presents an opportunity to other players to stand up and perform.

The BCCI on Monday (October 3) released a statement, confirming that Bumrah won’t travel to Australia for the showpiece event due to a back injury, dealing a blow to the Indian team which has been struggling with death overs bowling lately.

See Also: “We will make that call in Australia,” Rohit on Bumrah’s replacement for T20 World Cup

"Bumrah's absence is a big loss, he's been a great player but it happens, it's an opportunity for someone else to stand up. We'll miss him, his personality around the group," said Dravid after India won the three-match T20I series against South Africa 2-1.

"Good to get the right results in both series (against SA and Australia). In this format, you need luck, things to go your way, especially in close games. We didn't have that in the Asia Cup, but had some luck during the Australia series."

In the third T20I, the hosts conceded 227/3 in 20 overs and then were bowled out for 178 in 18.3 overs. Despite this heavy defeat, the Men in Blue clinched the three-T20I series 2-1.

This series win came on the back of a 2-1 win over Australia last month at home.

"We were able to rotate the squad a bit, pleased with how it's gone overall."

Talking about the new aggressive batting approach of the team, Dravid said, "We made a decision after the last T20 WC, sat down with Rohit, made a conscious effort to be positive.

"We have the batsmanship to play positively, we had to structure our squad with batting depth. Pleased with the way we've come along."

Having taken an unassailable 2-0 lead, India rested senior batters Virat Kohli and KL Rahul for the final T20I. While Rishabh Pant opened the innings, Dinesh Karthik was promoted to No.4 to get more time in the middle.

"Today was an opportunity to give guys who haven't had much batting to get some time. It's hard on guys like Rishabh, Dinesh. Wish both of them could've continued, they were batting beautifully," said Dravid.

"4-5 overs more and it could've been a lot closer. Happy with the way we kept going, Harshal and Deepak and the other guys."

(With PTI inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 05 Oct, 2022

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