ICC T20 World Cup 2022: “I'd Go For Mohammed Siraj Because....”– Sunil Gavaskar On Jasprit Bumrah's T20 WC Replacement

Legendary India National Cricket Team batter Sunil Gavaskar feels that the in-form right-arm pace bowler Mohammed Siraj should be included in India’s 15-member ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 squad as a replacement for injured Jasprit Bumrah.

Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has officially been ruled out of the upcoming T20 World Cup due to a back injury. Bumrah picked up a back injury ahead of the Asia Cup 2022 that ruled him out of the multi-nation tournament. The pacer made his comeback to competitive cricket in the T20I series against Australia.

The premier pacer was expected to feature in the subsequent T20I series against South Africa, but he missed the first game after complaining of back pain and later he got ruled out of the series. Mohammed Siraj was named as his replacement for the T20I series.

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Siraj didn’t perform well in the sole T20I game he played against South Africa in Indore. However, he delivered a brilliant performance in the ODI series against the Proteas and even managed to win the Player of the Series award, which strengthened his selection case for the T20 World Cup.

After the conclusion of the three-match ODI series between India and South Africa, batting legend Gavaskar was asked about Bumrah’s World Cup replacement. Gavaskar stated that Siraj should be picked ahead of Shami because the latter hasn’t played competitive cricket for a while.

“I’d go for Siraj because he has been bowling well, Shami has not played for a while. And to hit your steps straight away in a World Cup, yes there are a couple of warm-up matches. As of now, nobody has been selected as the 15th player. I don’t know…has he gone with the team to Australia? He hasn’t gone. So he has played no cricket. And that’s a concern,” Gavaskar told Star Sports.

No doubting his quality – Sunil Gavaskar on Mohammed Shami

Gavaskar further said that he is not at all doubting the quality of Shami, who missed the home white-ball series against South Africa and Australia after getting tested positive for Covid-19.

“No doubting his quality. Just the fact that he (Shami) has not played any cricket. It’s never easy to come back after Covid. Your stamina can be a little bit of suspect – I know it’s a four over the game in T20I cricket. But look at the way Siraj has been bowling. He’s bowling brilliantly,” Gavaskar added.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, which is the eighth edition of the multi-nation tournament, is scheduled to be played from October 16 to November 13 in Australia.

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