Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina feels that Mohammed Shami isn’t the perfect replacement of ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
Bumrah was ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2022 after he suffered a back injury. Following that, the BCCI brought Shami into the main squad to fill the position left by Bumrah.
However, Raina believes that no one can replace Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja as they have been performing for Team India for a long time.
“I would not call him a perfect replacement because you cannot replace Jasprit Bumrah or Ravindra Jadeja. They have played consistently for India and they have given performances,” Raina told NDTV.
The 35-year-old stated that Shami was the best option available for the Men in Blue. He also lauded BCCI for sending the squad 15 days prior to the event so that they can adjust and prepare well for the showpiece event.
“But the best option you had, you have selected him. Shami has given good performances, he has been in good form. BCCI have done really well in sending the team to Australia 15 days prior to the tournament. The grounds are big, overall I think the preparation has been nice. We will need to play fearless cricket and show good intent,” he added.
Mohammed Shami shined in warm-up game against Australia
Mohammed Shami played his last competitive T20I for India in the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE. Despite that, he bowled with confidence when captain Rohit Sharma called him to the rescue in the warm-up match against Australia on Monday (October 17).
Australia needed 11 off the last over but Shami had other plans as he picked up three wickets and gave away just four runs to script a 6-run victory for this side.
Team India will next lock horns with New Zealand in their final warm-up battle on Wednesday (October 19).
