ICC T20 World Cup 2022: An Opportunity To Unearth A New Champion - Ravi Shastri On Absence Of Ravindra Jadeja And Jasprit Bumrah

Only 10 days are left for the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 to be held in Australia from October 16 to November 13. Team India hasn’t announced the replacement player for Jasprit Bumrah, who was ruled out of the tournament with an injury.

The injuries to Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah have been a huge loss for Team India. Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri believes that India is strong enough to win the T20 World Cup despite the absence of Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja.

Jasprit Bumrah’s Injury Is Unfortunate – Ravi Shastri

Ravi Shastri feels that the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja in the T20 World Cup will give the team a chance to find a new champion. Shastri said this is an opportunity for another player to step up.

“[It’s] unfortunate,” Shastri said of Bumrah’s injury at the launch of Coaching Beyond, his new initiative with Bharat Arun and R Sridhar, in Chennai. “There’s so much cricket being played, and people get injured. He is injured, but it’s an opportunity for somebody else. There is nothing you can do with injury.

“I think we have got enough strength and we have a good team. I have always believed if you make it to the semi-finals, it could be anyone’s tournament. The endeavour would be to start well, get to the semis, and then you have got enough strength to probably win the [World] Cup, for all you know. Bumrah not being there, Jadeja not being there – it hampers the side – but it’s an opportunity to unearth a new champion.”

After India beat South Africa 2-1 in the T20I series, skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid suggested that Shami might be selected in place of Bumrah given his experience in Australian conditions.

Mohammed Shami’s Experience In Australia Counts – Ravi Shastri

Shastri also said that Mohammed Shami is the potential replacement for Bumrah and mentioned that Shami’s experience in Australia is crucial.

“Precisely, his experience [in Australian conditions is his strength],” Shastri said of Shami. “India have been there a lot in the last six years and he has been an integral part of all those tours. So that experience [of having done well in Australia] counts.”

India will start their World Cup campaign against Pakistan at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on October 23. India is in Group 2 with Pakistan, South Africa, and Bangladesh.

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