T20 World Cup: “Bumrah’s Absence An Opportunity for Somebody Else”, Ravi Shastri

T20 World Cup: Jasprit Bumrah’s absence from the T20 World Cup proved to be disheartening for many Indian cricket fans, but former India coach Ravi Shastri has a different opinion on it. Shastri believes that despite the injury-enforced absence of Bumrah, India has enough depth to win the tournament.

Enough strength in the team

Ravi Shastri, who recently launched Coaching Beyond, his new initiative with B Arun and R Sridhar in Chennai, believes that the Indian team is still strong even in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja. Though he agrees with the fact that these two injuries would hamper the side, it’s an opportunity to unearth a new champion. From his point of view, Mohammad Shami’s experience can carry the mantle in Bumrah’s absence. The 60-year-old always believes that it’s a matter of reaching the semifinals of the tournament and then it could be anyone’s tournament.

Replacement for Bumrah

After winning the T20I series against South Africa, skipper Rohit Sharma hinted at Shami stepping in for Bumrah, keeping in mind his experience in Australian conditions. Though the speedster has played just a single T20I in Australia, his experience in Tests and ODI cricket down under has been impressive. He has picked up 31 wickets in eight Tests and 22 wickets in 14 ODIs.

Axar Patel: A straight entry for Jadeja

Axar Patel showed his class in the T20I series against Australia and South Africa after picking up 10 wickets overall with an average of below 8. We can expect him to be in the XI as a bowling all-rounder. Earlier, Ravindra Jadeja, who could have been an automatic choice in the XI, picked up an injury just before the major tournament in Australia.

Team India is all set for the big tournament

Team India has already reached Australia, way before any other team has arrived to get themselves adapted to the conditions. They’d tasted success down under in the past and would look to create history this time with a different coach and captain. Skipper Rohit Sharma has been impressive with his skills on the field. His records as a captain speak for themselves of how great he could be for India.