ICC T20 World Cup 2022: No Like-For-Like Replacement For Jasprit Bumrah In The World - Shane Watson

India’s star pacer, Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the three T20I series against South Africa. It is unclear whether Bumrah will be available for the T20 World Cup, which starts on October 16 in Australia.

Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson is in India to play Legends League Cricket. Watson told NDTV that Jasprit Bumrah’s absence due to injury and Virat Kohli’s form will hamper India’s chances in the T20 World Cup.

“If Jasprit Bumrah is not fit and not playing at this World Cup, then it would make it all the more difficult for Team India to win because Bumrah is as good as an attacking bowler and as a defensive bowler as anyone in the world, let alone for India. He has got an incredible skill, it will be a huge loss,” said Watson.

There Is No Replacement For Jasprit Bumrah – Shane Watson

“There is no like-for-like replacement for Bumrah in the world, leave alone India. It is going to be very hard to find those defensive bowlers in trying to close the game when they are bowling last or close out an innings as well.

“That is going to be the real challenge. Some of the fast bowlers will be needed to step up and raise their hand, if India wants to get into the back end of the tournament,” he added.

Virat Kohli Is Back At His Best – Shane Watson

Virat Kohli scored his first T20 century against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup 2022 and his last century was in a day-night Test against Bangladesh in November 2019. Kohli took a break from the series against the West Indies and Zimbabwe before the Asia Cup.

“There is no question that Virat needed some time off to re-energise his battery. I could see from even far, during the last IPL, you could see his energy was low. He was trying to get his best to get out and get into battle, but he needed to re-energise his batteries.

“You can see with the way he batted during the Asia Cup and his T20I series against Australia, he is back at his best. There is no question about that, the shots he is playing. He is at the peak of his powers, it is great to see him at his best,” said Watson.

Australia Are The Favourites In The T20 World Cup 2022 – Shane Watson

While talking about whether Australia would be the favourites for the T20 World Cup, Watson said: “For me, Australia are the favourites. They are the defending champions, Australia are playing at home and they know the conditions better than anyone else.

“Bigger grounds, the faster and bouncier wickets. They are the standout for me, there squad is not going to change much at all. Their team is not going to change much from the team that won the last World Cup.”

“I just think if the Australian players are at their best, they would be incredibly hard to beat because there is no weak link in their team. My concern heading into the previous World Cup was Australia’s batting at the end but Matthew Wade alone has batted so well.

“He is as good as you get in terms of finishing the games, so I will be really surprised if Australia do not do well at this tournament,” he added.

Lastly speaking about the Legends League Cricket, Watson said: “It is great to be a part of the Legends League. I did not know what to expect at all, it is intense cricket and the guys are going really hard at it. These guys are incredibly skilled cricketers, they still have that incredible skill like we saw with Chris Gayle.

“It is a treat to be able to watch. Just to be able to see that, to bring back so many memories. It is really cool. The intensity of Legends League, the guys are going hard.”

Also read: IND vs SA: ‘Little Unrealistic To Expect Us To Keep Playing The Same XI Over And Over’ – Rahul Dravid