The 28-year-old had picked up a back injury earlier last month, which had ruled him out of the Asia Cup. He returned for the three-match T20I series against Australia, which India won 2-1, and picked up a wicket in two matches.
He was also named part of India’s squad for the subsequent white-ball series against South Africa, but he did not play the first T20I in Thiruvananthapuram after he complained of backache. The decision was taken following a detailed assessment after he was ruled out of the South Africa T20Is.
The BCCI on Monday, 3 October confirmed the pacer has been ruled out of the marquee tournament.
He is the second senior player to miss the T20 World Cup for India with an injury after Ravindra Jadeja, who is recovering from knee surgery.
India had a poor showing in last year’s T20 World Cup, failing to reach the semi-finals after they finished third in Group 2. Bumrah had a lukewarm tournament, picking up seven wickets in five matches at 13.57.
Bumrah’s loss is a huge blow to India’s hopes of improving on their showing last year. He is India’s third-highest wicket-taker in men’s T20Is with 70 scalps in 60 matches at 20.22, and his skill and accuracy with the yorker, in particular, will be particularly missed in the death overs.
Shane Watson, on The ICC Review, had stressed how big a blow Bumrah’s absence could be.
“Honestly, I think it’s going to have a huge impact on India’s chances of winning the T20 World Cup,” Watson said. “He is one of the best bowlers in the world and India in particular, their fast bowlers, he is the main guy who can take wickets with the brand new ball but also is an incredible defensive bowler as well at the back end of the game.”
India have two fast bowlers in their reserves – Mohammad Shami and Deepak Chahar – and either of those two could be named as the replacement, although no official announcement has come.