Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah had already been excluded from the current three-match T20I series against South Africa because of an ongoing back issue that kept him from participating in the last Asia Cup. Bumrah’s participation in the forthcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia is still on India’s radar, but it’s uncertain whether the right-armer 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.
In case star quick Jasprit Bumrah is forced to withdraw from the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup due to injury, Shane Watson has revealed which pace bowler he believes India should include. If India learns that Bumrah would be unable to play the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup due to injury, Watson is sure that Siraj is the ideal player to include.
“The player I would put in if Jasprit’s not available is Mohammad Siraj, because of the firepower he presents,” Watson told host Sanjana Ganesan on The ICC Review.
“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.
“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.”
(ICC Review)
