NEW DELHI, Oct 1, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - India are "hopeful" that injured pace
spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will still make next month's T20 World Cup despite
his withdrawal from the South Africa series, coach Rahul Dravid said
Saturday.

Bumrah missed Wednesday's opening win over the Proteas and is currently under
medical supervision for a stress fracture of the back.

Indian media reports have said the 28-year-old's withdrawal from the
Australia tournament was a certainty, but coach Dravid said a final decision
had not yet been reached.

"As of now officially he is only ruled out for this series but we will see
what happens over the next few days," Dravid told reporters.

"Obviously till he is officially ruled out, we will always be hopeful, not
just as a team but also for Jasprit as an individual."

India begin their World Cup campaign in three weeks and Bumrah's absence
would be a blow to their prospects in the showpiece event.

Bumrah played two T20 internationals against Australia recently but was not
at his best, having already spent time on the sidelines.

He has played 30 Tests, 72 ODIs and 60 T20Is for India since making his
international debut in January 2016.

India's final two matches against South Africa are on Sunday and Tuesday,
also at home.