Indian team suffered a huge setback after pacer Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022 due to his recent back stress injury. Just weeks before the tournament begins in Australia, the Indian team management is now fretting over his replacement.
There are options for India as Mohammad Shami and Deepak Chahar are amongst the stand-by players in the India squad. Chahar meanwhile will play in the South Africa ODI series, along with Mohammed Siraj, who is also in contention.
India has to choose from these three pacers and former India opener Wasim Jaffer has shared his opinion on the same and made his pick in Deepak Chahar.
"I think, I probably see Deepak Chahar being the replacement because he is getting to play and he is going to play again in the ODIs and it makes sense, he is somebody who is bowling well and he is someone who can contribute with the bat as well. He is a quality new-ball bowler and I do not think he lacks variation. If you give him the odd over at the death, he can do something about it," Jaffer said during a discussion on ESPNCricinfo.
Jaffer said that Shami has not played much cricket off late while adding that Chahar can also contribute with the bat. Shami has not played T20Is since the last T20 World Cup in UAE in 2021 but played ODIs against England at the latest.
"Shami has not played any cricket so it will be unfair to put him straight into the T20 World Cup squad without any game time. If he is selected, he would get a couple of practice games but to put him straight into T20 World Cup without any match practice, it will be unfair. So, I think probably looks like Deepak Chahar might be that replacement," he added.
