T20 World Cup: On Monday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that India’s ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2022 due to a back issue. That means that India will enter the WT20 without their best pace bowler. It makes India’s problem tougher as the team is already struggling with their bowling attack. Team India is currently having some issues with their pace bowling, that too in death overs.
That is why India had a poor Asia Cup. Even after that, they had an average performance with their pace bowlers. However, now the biggest concern is who will replace Bumrah in the team. There are a few options that can come in handy for India.
Three Players who are perfect replacement for Jasprit Bumrah
1. Mohammed Shami (18 wickets in 17 T20Is)
It is not easy to replace a bowler like Bumrah at all. But speaking of a big tournament like the World Cup, you need a bowler with experience. Thus, among the available options, one name stands out, and that is Mohammed Shami. The veteran pacer is the first-choice bowler for India in the red-ball format. But the management doesn’t prefer him more in the white-ball circuit.
He played in the 2021 T20 WC in the UAE, but that was the last time he played a T20I for India. But some media reports confirm that the Indian think-tank is thinking about his name. That is why he was picked as a reserve player for the ICC event. But later, he came out positive for COVID-19, which kept him away from the home series against Australia and South Africa. Shami has played only 17 T20Is and taken 18 wickets in his career.
2. Mohammed Siraj (5 wickets in 5 T20Is)
Bumrah was part of the three-match T20I series against South Africa. But later, he was ruled out of the series and India announced Mohammed Siraj as his replacement. Thus, it gives a clear indication that the Indian board is also thinking of picking Siraj as Bumrah’s replacement for the upcoming ICC event. And if that is the case, we might see Siraj sharing a bowl with Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the world cup.
Just like Shami, India prefer Siraj, usually in red-ball cricket, and he has done a good job in whites. Siraj played his last T20I in February before the IPL 2022 against Sri Lanka. However, he played three ODIs against West Indies and Zimbabwe but hasn’t played any T20I games. He is also in the ODI squad against South Africa, so he might get a go in the series to get some game time. Siraj has played five T20I games and picked up 5 wickets.
3. Deepak Chahar (28 wickets in 23 T20Is)
Deepak Chahar is another option available for India to pick from. The pacer has been picked as a reserve player for the T20 World Cup. He has also done well for India in the ongoing South Africa T20Is and ODI series against Zimbabwe. Notably, India has gone with Chahar often in the white-ball format because he is an on-and-on swing bowler who can take wickets up front.
But the issue is that India already has Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the squad, who also brings the same skill set to the table. But compared to Shami and Siraj, the 30-year-old has some games under his belt and, most importantly, can use his bat when required. Well, his performance against South Africa in ODIs will decide his fate. Chahar has played 23 T20Is for India and has picked up 28 wickets at an economy rate of 7.98.