IND vs IRE: "If There Is A Virat Kohli Of Bowling, It Is Jasprit Bumrah" - Harbhajan Singh
Published - 01 Aug 2023, 06:58 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:16 AM
Former India National Cricket Team off-spinner Harbhajan Singh believes that the premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah is as important for the side in the bowling department as Virat Kohli is in the batting department. He also said that there is “no bigger name than” Bumrah on the bowling side of things.
Jasprit Bumrah has finally made his India comeback as he has been included in the squad as captain for the short three-match T20I series against Ireland. The right-arm pacer was last seen in action in September 2022, before being ruled out with a back injury.
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Speaking on his YouTube channel, Harbhajan Singh said that he is hoping that Bumrah doesn’t suffer any more injures and remains fully fit as he has already missed a lot of matches for India. He elaborated:
“Jasprit Bumrah has made a comeback. He was injured for a long time and his return was awaited. He has come back and has been made the captain straightaway. Congratulations to Jassi for becoming the captain and foremost for getting fit. I hope and keep my fingers crossed that Jassi doesn’t get injured again.
“He has been missed a lot, whether you see the WTC final or the cricket that was played before that. I used to say earlier and am saying it today as well that if we talk about batting, we talk about Virat Kohli, and if there is a Virat Kohli of bowling, it is Jasprit Bumrah. There is no bigger name than him.”
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Everyone’s beloved Rinku Singh has been given a chance – Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh further spoke about India’s squad picked for the Ireland T20Is. He was delighted to see the appointment of Ruturaj Gaikwad as the deputy of Bumrah as well as the comeback of pacer Prasidh Krishna, who was out of action since August 2022.
Notably, several key names have been rested for the series including the likes of Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, and Axar Patel.
“Ruturaj Gaikwad will be this team’s vice-captain – well deserved. Then there is Yashasvi Jaiswal, he had to be there because he is a mighty player. Tilak Varma has been given an opportunity. Everyone’s beloved Rinku Singh has been given a chance. We expect to see his show in Ireland as well. Sanju Samson, Jitesh Sharma, and Shivam Dube are there in the team,” he said.
“Washington Sundar has made a comeback. Shahbaz Ahmed is there in the team and Ravi Bishnoi has made a comeback. Prasidh Krishna has made a comeback. He is a talented fast bowler who I feel can serve India for a long time in Test cricket. Arshdeep Singh has also made a comeback and Mukesh Kumar and Avesh Khan are a part of the team.”
Team India are set to tour Ireland for a short three-match T20I series. The matches are scheduled to be held at the Malahide in Dublin on August 18,20 and 23.
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