India head coach Rahul Dravid on Tuesday admitted that Jasprit Bumrah's absence from the upcoming T20 World Cup due to a back injury will be a "big loss" for the team but said it opens up an opportunity for some other player to stand up and perform.
The BCCI on Monday announced that pace spearhead Bumrah will miss the showpiece event in Australia, dealing a blow to the Indian team which has been facing problems in death overs bowling. "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." India lost the third and final T20I against South Africa by 49 runs but won the series 2-1.