ICC T20 World Cup 2022: Wasim Jaffer Selects Mohammed Shami As The "Best Guy To Replace" Injured Jasprit Bumrah In India's T20 World Cup Team

Wasim Jaffer, a former Indian Test opener, believes that veteran pacer Mohammed Shami is the best option right now to replace injured pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah in the team for the Upcoming T20 World Cup.

Due to a severe back stress fracture injury, Bumrah was excluded from the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Thursday.

The Men in Blue were dealt a severe setback a little over three weeks before Team India’s T20 World Cup opener against Pakistan at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 23 (Sunday) when it was revealed that the team’s star speedster, Jasprit Bumrah, had been ruled out of the match.

The recently finished Australian T20I series marked the pacer’s return after a two-month absence, but the 28-year-old has since sustained a significant back stress fracture that, as per reports, will keep him out of play for at least four to six months.

The unavailability of Bumrah will harm the Indian side even more in Australia, where the wickets are conducive to fast bowling, as he was sorely missed during the Asia Cup T20 competition in the United Arab Emirates.

We haven’t got anyone as good as Bumrah: Wasim Jaffer

Wasim Jaffer, a former India opener, believes that Mohammed Shami, who is a traveling reserve along with Deepak Chahar, Ravi Bishnoi, and Shreyas Iyer, is the best choice for the previous winners even though there is no replacement for Bumrah that comes close to matching what he brings to the table.

“I don’t think we have got a replacement for Bumrah, He is a vital cog in this Indian team and he’ll be sorely missed. We haven’t got anyone as good as Bumrah to bowl in the Powerplay as well as in the death (overs) especially.” Wasim Jaffer said on ESPNcricinfo.

“But the best guy to replace him would probably be Mohammed Shami. But again the death bowling is a concern with Shami. (Bumrah’s absence) it’s going to be a massive blow for India’s preparation” Wasim Jaffer said.

Bumrah returned to the team for the T20I series against Australia after taking part in the India tour of England. He did, however, sit out the first game at Mohali out of precaution and played in the following two games. After his return, he defeated Australia in Nagpur by taking a wicket before getting destroyed in the third game in Hyderabad.

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