India’s main strike bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the Test series against South Africa with a “minor stress fracture in his lower back,” according to a BCCI media release. The injury came to light “during a routine radiological screening.”

The injury might also force Bumrah out of next month’s two-Test series against Bangladesh.

The first Test against South Africa begins in Visakhapatnam on October 2.

Umesh Yadav will replace Bumrah in the squad. The emergence of Bumrah, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami as India’s first-choice fast-bowling combination has reduced Umesh’s opportunities of late, limiting him to only five Tests since the start of 2018. His last Test was in December 2018, during the tour of Australia.

“The injury was detected during a routine radiological screening. He will now undergo rehabilitation at National Cricket Academy (NCA) and will be monitored by the BCCI medical team,” the BCCI said in a release.

Bumrah had been rested from the just-concluded T20I series against South Africa, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

The third-ranked Test bowler in the world has an unconventional action and is feared for his immaculate line and length, particularly the toe crushers.

In the Test series against the West Indies, which was his last series, Bumrah emerged as the wrecker-in-chief for India with 13 wickets in two Tests, including a hat-trick.

The 25-year-old became the fastest Indian pacer to take 50 wickets in Tests during the course of that series .

The series against South Africa was to be his first at home. This is the second time Bumrah has had to miss Tests due to injury. A thumb injury, picked up during a T20I against Ireland in Malahide, forced him to miss the first half of India’s tour of England last year, including the first two Tests.