Ashish Nehra didn't pick couple of star Indian Premier League pacers in his bowling attack.
Former India pacer Ashish Nehra, who was part of India's 2016 T20 World Cup campaign, has picked Team India's fast bowling quartet for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. Last year, India failed to make it to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2021 after losing to Pakistan and New Zealand in their group.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Nehra didn't name IPL stars Harshal Patel and Avesh Khan in his fast-bowling list for the mega ICC event. He picked India's bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, along with Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammad Shami.
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"The World Cup is very far away. If the squad for the World Cup is to be announced tomorrow, there is only one pace bowler from this team who will make it, and that is Siraj," he said.
Prasidh Krishna was the fourth bowler in Nehra's list as he is impressed with the youngster's bowing performance. Nehra later added the swing bowler Deepak Chahar after his four picks.
"My choice for the World Cup would be Siraj, Bumrah, Shami, and Prasidh Krishna. We have seen what he can do, and after these four, comes Deepak Chahar" he told Cricbuzz.
Nehra praised the current India skipper Rohit Sharma for backing the veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar despite his inconsistent bowling performance. Bhuvneshwar is currently part of the ongoing T20I series against the West Indies.
"It's good to see that Rohit Sharma is backing Bhuvneshwar Kumar because he has so much experience. So, can do a change in the playing XI or not, does not matter much."
Former India wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel also spoke on Team India's fast bowling unit and suggested one of Siraj and Avesh can be tried in place of Chahar or Bhuvneshwar.
"I think one or two changes can be made. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Deepak Chahar are similar kinds of bowlers. So, you can try to play either one of Siraj or Avesh Khan for variety. So, this can be tried out since we are already exploring the best combination for the World Cup," said Parthiv.
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)