Dale Steyn
Dale Steyn (Image Credit: Twitter)

Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn has identified the player he believes India’s T20 World Cup team should select to replace Jasprit Bumrah.

Mohammed Shami was mentioned by Steyn as his top choice to replace Bumrah in the Indian T20 World Cup team during his appearance on Star Sports.

Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah. (Photo: Getty Images)

Bumrah is one of the select few Indian bowlers who excels at all phases of the game, especially the death, which has recently been India’s biggest worry. The powerplay duties can be handled quite well by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel, but they are less effective in the slog overs. In the last four overs, whenever Harshal Patel has been tasked with bowling, runs have leaked out like an open tap.

Jasprit Bumrah. (Photo: Getty Images)
Jasprit Bumrah. (Photo: Getty Images)

Even though Arshdeep has shown great promise in his brief career thus far, putting all your eggs in one World Cup basket seems a bit much. Bumrah could have helped India in that situation, but a back injury has prevented him from competing in the T20 World Cup.

Mohammed Shami is probably the guy I would go with: Dale Steyn

Bumrah is a significant player, and Dale Steyn asserted that the opposition will exhale in relief as a result of his absence from the T20 World Cup.

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“Once the opposition hears that Jasprit Bumrah is unavailable, they all breathe a sigh of relief. He’s such a wonderful bowler. He’s played around the world, he’s an impact player, and he can bowl at any time in the match.

“His execution of skills is on point, and India relies heavily on him. It’s a pity that he is not at the World Cup, because me, as a spectator, I want to go and watch him play,” Dale Steyn was quoted as saying to Star Sports.

Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah
Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah. (Photo: Twitter)

Bumrah is a significant player, and Steyn asserted that the opposition will exhale in relief as a result of his absence from the T20 World Cup. The absence of Bumrah from the World Cup, in Steyn’s opinion as a spectator, is regrettable.

Dale Steyn gave Shami permission to replace Bumrah and continued by saying he would look for someone with a comparable level of experience. Steyn also mentioned Deepak Chahar and Mohammed Siraj as players with the potential to succeed Bumrah.

“I’m sad and I feel for him. As a replacement, I would look at someone who can qualify with similar experience. Mohammed Shami is probably the guy I would go with. He’s been around the world, he can swing the ball and he can bowl quickly when he wants to. You’ve got a bunch of other guys as well.”

Mohammed Shami. (Photo: Twitter)
Mohammed Shami. (Photo: Twitter)

“You’ve got Deepak who has got swing, Siraj who has got skills, and Avesh has some good pace. But I think the top of the pile would be Shami, I’ve got him written down here. If he’s fully fit, he’s somebody the opposition fear. But India would be missing Bumrah for sure,” Dale Steyn added.

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India will kickstart its T20 World Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on October 23.

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