Picture Credit : BCCI
In what appears to be a blow of sorts, if not a damning, inf one might say, Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the opening game featuring India and the USA as the 2026 edition of the T20 World Cup opens today due to viral fever. In just a few hours’ time now, team India, co hosts alongside Sri Lanka, shall be opening their world cup campaign against the American team. And understandably so, a lot of eyes were fixated on seeing the premier fast bowler and proven match winner Jasprit Bumrah to take the field for India.
However, that isn’t going to be possible anymore in what lies ahead.
Owing to fever that he developed in the time leading into the first game, Bumrah has been advised rest and will, therefore, not be participating in India’s playing eleven in the next few hours. In absence of him, Mohammad Siraj, who has been added to the India's squad as a replacement of Harshit Rana is most likely to take the field.
Here's the tweet
🚨 NO JASPRIT BUMRAH TODAY 🚨 - Bumrah is likely to miss the first game today vs USA due to viral fever. [Devendra Pandey] Mohammed Siraj is likely to play today and Ishan Kishan is set to open. pic.twitter.com/4wmyg1nuAw
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 7, 2026
With excitement having hit peak crescendo for a series in which India are expected and being pipped to retain their crown, somewhere one can say that the USA team will breathe a bit easy.
That being down to the fact that there’s no Jasprit Bumrah in the indian team today. However, others such as Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya will rise to the occasion, one expects in the crucial World Cup contest.
Bumrah’s toe crushing Yorkers and ability to pick wickets in nearly every single over he bowls will be missed. But will most certainly come handy in from next game onwards.
We, the doting cricket fans, wish him a speedy and full recovery.
