In a blow to Indian cricket team’s preparations for the challenging tour of England, key pacer Jasprit Bumrah and off-spinner Washington Sundar were on Saturday ruled out of the T20 series, starting Tuesday, due to injuries.

Bumrah sustained an injury to his left thumb while fielding in the first T20 against Ireland in Malahide on Wednesday, and thus will miss the three-match series in England.

Bumrah, a key death-overs bowler, did not take part in the optional nets on Thursday and was benched for the second match on Friday. India had won the series 2-0 with ease.

But ahead of a sterner test against England, it’s a major blow for India.

Bumrah is ranked 10th on ICC’s T20I Bowlers’ ranking lost and along with leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is among the only two bowlers in the top-ten of T20I rankings.

He, though, is expected to be fit in time for the three-match ODI series that begins in Nottingham on July 12.

Sundar has been ruled out of the T20 series owing to a right ankle injury. He sustained this injury whilst playing football during India’s first practice session in Malahide on Tuesday.

Replacements will be named by the BCCI in due course, with Shardul Thakur and Deepak Thakur’s names being talked up.