'You don't want him to...' - Wasim Jaffer warns Team India against resting Jasprit Bumrah for Canada clash in T20 World Cup 2024

Former opener Wasim Jaffer has warned Team India against dropping Jasprit Bumrah for their final group game of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

The Rohit Sharma-led side has already booked its place in the Super 8s after winning its opening three games. India began their campaign in the ninth edition of the T20 World Cup with a thumping 8-wicket win over Ireland. In their second game, India registered a thrilling 6-run win over arch-rivals Pakistan while defending 119 runs.

On Wednesday (June 12), India beat co-hosts USA to become the first team from Group A to qualify for the next stage. Bowling first, India restricted the USA to a modest total of 110 for 8 before going on to win the game by seven wickets thanks to an unbeaten half-century from Suryakumar Yadav.

India will be playing one more group game before starting their campaign in the Super 8s phase. They are scheduled to lock horns against Canada in the fourth and final group game. With a place in the next round already confirmed, India might be tempted to rest their star pacer, Jasprit Bumrah. However, Wasim Jaffer believes India should not rest their pace spearhead and let him play the game so that he can stay in rhythm.

"The more Bumrah keeps playing, the more he will be in rhythm. You do not want Bumrah to lose his rhythm, such an important player. So I do not think it is needed to rest him," said Wasim Jaffer in a video posted on his YouTube channel.

Bumrah is in good form in the tournament. He was adjudged the Player of the Match in the first two games for his brilliant display with the ball. In the first game against Ireland, Bumrah gave away just 6 runs in three overs and picked up 2 wickets. In the second game against Pakistan, he conceded only 14 runs in 4 overs and claimed 3 wickets before going wicketless against USA.

Wasim Jaffer on allegations against India:

Wasim Jaffer also shared his views on the recent allegations of India getting an undue advantage in the ongoing T20 World Cup. If India manage to qualify for the semifinals, they have the advantage of knowing their game is in Guyana. At the same time, India are not scheduled to play any game in Guyana before the semifinal. However, many believe that the Men in Blue have an unfair advantage as they already know their venue for the semifinal.

"Even when you know what venue you're going to play at, it doesn't matter. You have to perform well on the day. India have started their campaign in tough conditions in New York. You have brought four spinners but these are different conditions so definitely it is not an advantage," said Jaffer.