Saba Karim, the former cricketer, and selector believes veteran pacer Mohammed Shami can be brought back to India’s T20 side for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022 if pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is ruled out of the tournament.
He pointed out that Mohammed Shami showcased tremendous form in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL 2022). He suggested that the right-arm pacer would be an ideal replacement for Jasprit Bumrah as he is an experienced campaigner.
Saba Karim: Mohammed Shami Can Find A Place In The Playing XI For The 2022 T20I World Cup As He Did Well In IPL 2022
He further added that Deepak Chahar will also be a suitable option, considering his ability to provide early breakthroughs with the new ball. Deepak Chahar registered figures of 3/27 in the first ODI against Zimbabwe in Harare on Thursday, August 18.
His early strikes helped the Men in Blue bowl out the hosts for just 189 runs and the visitors went on to register an emphatic 10-wicket win. Deepak Chahar returned to top-flight cricket after nearly seven months.
For Deepak Chahar, what was to be a six-week layoff for a left quadricep injury, took more than six months and multiple rehabilitation stints at the National Cricket Academy to fix.
Saba Karim explained: “If someone has to come in for Jasprit Bumrah, then we must consider someone who is experienced and also someone who has done well in T20 cricket in recent times. Mohammad Shami and Deepak Chahar seem to be the top contenders for that role as they have the ability to pick wickets with the new ball.”
“Shami did well in the IPL and was in great form. He can surely find a place in the playing XI for the World Cup if the selectors give him enough chances before the tournament, ” said Saba Karim.
Notably, Mohammed Shami was the leading wicket-taker for Gujarat Titans (GT) in their title-winning campaign earlier this year. He bagged 20 wickets from 16 games and had a decent economy rate of 8.00 in the latest edition of the cash-rich league.
Jasprit Bumrah is currently on the sidelines due to a back injury and has been ruled out of the forthcoming Asia Cup 2022. He is undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
The fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been struggling with back spasms of late and with the T20I World Cup around the corner, the selection committee decided to take the prudent step to rest him for the Asia Cup tournament.
Jasprit Bumrah has not played an international match since the second One-Day International (ODI) against England at Lord’s on July 14. In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian bowling attack in the Asia Cup will be less lethal.
Reetinder Singh Sodhi: Mohammed Shami Has An Outside Chance If Jasprit Bumrah Is Unavailable For World Cup
During the discussion, former cricketer Reetinder Singh Sodhi echoed Saba Karim’s sentiments. He emphasized that Team India would have to go with an experienced player in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence.
He suggested that Mohammed Shami has a chance of making it to the squad if Jasprit Bumrah isn’t available for selection. Reetinder Singh Sodhi stated that the side cannot rely on young bowlers at a crucial event like the World Cup.
He said: “India will have to go with an experienced player if Bumrah is not available. The team will struggle if they go ahead with just young pacers. You cannot take such chances for the World Cup where every match will be crucial Shami has an outside chance.
“He may not be in the scheme of things right now and it remains to be seen how quickly can he can build confidence as there isn’t much time left.”
Mohammed Shami was an integral part of the Indian team during the 2021 T20I World Cup last year. However, he hasn’t played any T20I matches since then. He also isn’t a part of India’s squad for the 2022 Asia Cup, scheduled to be played in the UAE from August 27. India’s first match-up of the tournament is against arch-rivals Pakistan on August 28.