IND vs IRE: "Who's going to bowl well..." - Glenn McGrath questions Jasprit Bumrah and Rohit Sharma

Former Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath feels that ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah alone cannot carry the bowling load for Team India in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Glenn McGrath stated that the rest of the bowling unit should support Jasprit Bumrah for India's success in the prestigious tournament.

The Rohit Sharma-led team is in Group A along with Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, and the United States of America in the ICC event. The Men in Blue will face Ireland in their first match in New York on Wednesday, June 9. The Indian team will play two more matches, including against arch-rivals Pakistan, in New York.

Jasprit Bumrah boasts an impressive record for Team India in T20 World Cups. The right-arm pacer has taken 11 wickets in 10 innings at an average of 22.54 and an impressive economy rate of 6.41. Bumrah was ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2022, where India was eliminated after a semifinal loss to England.

Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh are the other two frontline pacers in the Indian squad. The selectors picked four spinners, including Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, in the squad. Hardik Pandya will play a crucial role as a fast-bowling all-rounder in the World Cup, while Shivam Dube can bowl if needed.

A Lot Of It Relies On Him - Glenn McGrath

At the MRF Pace Foundation ground, Glenn McGrath emphasized the need for support bowlers to relieve the pressure off Jasprit Bumrah. McGrath said that Mitchell Starc has to bowl well to help the Australian team secure the T20 World Cup trophy.

"We saw Starc at the end of the IPL. He came into his own, which was good to see. Bumrah just seems to be the one bowler that batters find it hard, even in T20s, to get on top of. So, I think if Australia is to win this World Cup, Starc has to bowl well. A lot of it relies on him. And Bumrah for India, but then it is who's going to take wickets around Bumrah and who's going to bowl well around him," McGrath said.

It Also Depends On How They Are Bowling - Glenn McGrath

Arshdeep Singh led the Indian bowling attack in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup. Arshdeep picked 10 wickets at an impressive average of 15.60 and an economy rate of 7.80, with his best bowling figures of 3/32. The left-arm pacer is expected to partner with Jasprit Bumrah in India's World Cup opener.

Glenn McGrath highlighted how a left-arm, and right-arm bowling combination with Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah can pose challenges for opposition batters. The Aussie legend said that a strong opening bowling partnership can be pivotal in winning matches.

"You got Jasprit Bumrah. He showed just how good he is throughout the IPL (he picked 20 wickets from 13 matches for Mumbai Indians). But it is like having a left-right opening combination for batters. It also depends on how they are bowling. In T20s, you do not have much time to be ready. If you take an over or two to warm up, the game is already over. If you have got a good opening-bowling combination, that is where you are going to win matches," McGrath added.

Also read: IND vs IRE: 'Gautam Gambhir is a No-Nonsense Guy...' - Former India Coach