Indian paceman Jasprit Bumrah reportedly ruled out of Gabba Test

The Indian squad’s casualty ward is overflowing, with another star player reportedly set to miss the fourth Test match against Australia.

India's Jasprit Bumrah reacts after the catch of Australia's captain Tim Paine was dropped.

Indian paceman Jasprit Bumrah has reportedly been ruled out of the Gabba Test after suffering an abdominal strain.

As first revealed by The Press Trust of India, the 27-year-old will not feature in the series decider and joins a growing list of Indian casualties.

“Jasprit Bumrah suffered an abdominal strain while fielding in Sydney. He is going to sit out of the Brisbane Test but is expected to be available against England,” a BCCI source told PTI.

Watch Australia v India Test Series Live & Ad-Break Free During Play with the Fox Cricket commentary team. New to Kayo? Get your free trial now & start streaming instantly >

Bumrah was India’s most experienced paceman in the New Year’s Test, and his absence in Brisbane would be a significant blow for tourists.

Breaking - India not to risk Jasprit Bumrah in Brisbane. They fear Abdomen injury could worsen, scans done, reports awaited. Mayank hurt at training. Scans done. Unless there is fracture he was to replace Hanuma. Scan results awaited. @SportsTodayofc at 10am for further details.

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) January 12, 2021

If he does not play, India’s most capped pace bowler available for selection would be Mohammed Siraj, who made his Test debut at the MCG two weeks ago.

As a result, uncapped bowler Thangarasu Natarajan could potentially make his Test debut at the Gabba this week, while Shardul Thakur is also in contention.

Bumrah currently sits at No. 10 on the ICC Test Bowling Rankings having somehow slipped from ninth in the latest rankings. He has taken 97 wickets in 17 Test matches as a stellar average of 21.59.

The right-armer is India’s second-highest wicket-taker in the four-match Test series with 11 scalps.

India's Jasprit Bumrah reacts.

Bumrah is the latest victim in a seemingly endless number of injuries India has been dealt this summer.

Star bowlers Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were withdrawn from the Test series before it had even begun.

Mohammad Shami suffered the same fate after he struck in the arm by a Pat Cummins delivery in the series opener at Adelaide Oval.

Then in Melbourne, Umesh Yadav hobbled off the MCG with a calf injury during the Boxing Day match, and was subsequently ruled out of the Test series as well.

Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Hanuma Vihari, Mayank Agarwal and Rishabh Pant have also been under injury clouds this summer, while captain Virat Kohli returned home for the birth of his first child in December.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Cheteshwar Pujara have also reported soreness this week.

Indian broadcaster and Fox Cricket expert Harsha Bhogle tweeted: “I have never seen this kind of injury list, ever. Mickey Arthur alluded to the effects of lockdown and Ravichandran Ashwin pointed it out too. He has a bad back, Bumrah is unlikely to play, Agarwal hurt … if India hadn’t taken such a large contingent, wouldn’t have had 11 left.”

Jasprit Bumrah was consulted multiple times during the third evening at the @scg by the team physio & medical staff about whether he wanted to continue to be out on the field and he waved them off each time. He wanted to stay put and bowl #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/jqyzfrR5Iu

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 12, 2021

With Bumrah ruled out, the Indian pace brigade now has four men with four Test matches between them.

— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) January 12, 2021

Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of the Gabba Test,PTI reports.That’s a huge blow.Australia tour has been quite tough. Kohli played only the first Test. Ishant was unfit. Lost Shami, KL Rahul & Umesh due to injuries. Jadeja has been ruled out due to dislocated thumb. Vihari is unfit too

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) January 12, 2021

READ MORE: Aussie sandpaper scars ripped wide open

READ MORE: How Australia blew it big time

India defied the odds to secure a draw in the New Year’s Test and set up a mouth-watering decider at the Gabba.

But history is not on their side — India has never won a Test match at the Brisbane venue, while Australia has not lost there since 1988.

The fourth Test between Australia and India will commence on Friday.