ICC T20 World Cup 2022: Shane Watson Names A Potential Replacement For Jasprit Bumrah

Shane Watson has appeared on the latest episode of The ICC Review to explain which speed bowler he believes India should include if superstar quick Jasprit Bumrah is ruled out of the 2019 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup due to injury.

Bumrah is fighting a back problem that has kept him out of the recent Asia Cup and has already been ruled out of the current three-match T20I series against South Africa at home.

Bumrah’s participation in the forthcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia is still on India’s radar, although it is unclear whether the right-arm would remain in the team for the tournament.

Among the players already on India’s standby list for the T20 World Cup are seasoned seamers Mohammad Shami and Deepak Chahar. Mohammad Siraj is also a candidate to participate after being called up to take Bumrah’s position for the remaining South Africa T20 series.

Siraj is great with the brand new ball: Shane Watson

If Bumrah is compelled to withdraw from the 20-over exhibition Down Under, Watson is sure that Siraj is India’s best option to include.

Watson said on The ICC Review’s Sanjana Ganesan that “Mohammad Siraj would be the guy he would start if Jasprit was not available due to the firepower he offers.”

“Without Bumrah, that’s the one thing India won’t necessarily have, which is vital on Australian wickets on the bigger grounds with the pace and bounce,” Shane Watson said.

“Siraj is great with the brand new ball. He is fast, he swings the ball away but also his defensive skills are pretty good.”

“And he’s got better over the last couple of years, with what we’ve seen in the IPL.”

“So, for me, he’s probably going to be the one who is going to have the most impact” Shane Watson Added.

Bumrah’s withdrawal from the current three-match T20I series against South Africa was a huge setback for Team India’s T20 World Cup preparations. Bumrah’s availability for the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to start on October 16, is unknown.

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