T20 World Cup: There is no like-for-like replacement possible for Jasprit Bumrah, he is just too skillful, says Shane Watson

06.10.2022 - 12:07 timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Injuries and sport go hand in hand. The trouble though is that though Jadeja's absence can be masked (especially if someone like Axar Patel, who is a like-for-like replacement for Jadeja performs well), there is no one who can be a like-for-like replacement for Bumrah.

This was a sentiment that was echoed by former Australian cricketer Shane Watson as well. "If you ask me a possible like-for-like replacement for Bumrah, there is none.

There's no one really in the world. He is just that incredibly skillful. Whether it's with a brand-new ball, whether it's in the death overs, he's got amazing skill.

And that's the reason he's done such an incredible job for India as well. So, there's no like for like replacement (possible)," Watson told TimesofIndia.com in an interview.

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Shane Watson, while tagging Hardik Pandya as a 'match winner' has said that India's star all-rounder, thanks to his rich vein of form, can take India to their second T20 World Cup title win. India won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, under MS Dhoni's captaincy. The 8th edition of the ICC T20 World Cup is currently being played in Australia and the Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, will kick off their campaign on October 23 against arch-rivals Pakistan in the Super 12 stage. In the 7 completed editions of the tournament so far there have been as many as 6 different champions, with only the West Indies managing to clinch two titles - in 2012 and 2016. India have gone into the tournament without the services of two star players - pacer Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. In Bumrah's absence, the experienced Mohammed Shami will spearhead the Indian bowling attack. Apart from Shami, young Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Pandya are the weapons India will have in their pace armoury.

"Mohammed Shami Has Proven...": Sachin Tendulkar Opens Up On Pacer's Entry In India's T20 World Cup Squad

Jasprit Bumrah's absence is a "big loss" for India, but Mohammed Shami can more than fill the void with his speed and skill sets, in the ICC T20 World Cup, feels Sachin Tendulkar. Bumrah, who is out for an indefinite period of time due to a stress fracture on his back, was replaced in the main squad by Shami, who hasn't played a single T20I match since the last edition of World Cup in the UAE. However, the crafty 32-year-old from Amroha dispelled all doubts about his fitness with a splendid three-wicket burst in the 20th over, ensuring India's six-run win over Australia in a warm-up game in Birsbane on Monday.

Mohammed Shami is an ideal replacement for Jasprit Bumrah: Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar. Bumrah, who is out for an indefinite period of time due to a stress fracture on his back, was replaced in the main squad by Shami, who hasn't played a single T20I match since the last edition of World Cup in the UAE. However, the crafty 32-year-old from Amroha dispelled all doubts about his fitness with a splendid three-wicket burst in the 20th over, ensuring India's six-run win over Australia in a warm-up game in Birsbane on Monday.

Robin Uthappa Feels These Two Pacers Will Vie For A Spot In India's Playing XI In T20 World Cup

The BCCI announced the replacement for injured pacer Jasprit Bumrah for 2022 T20 World Cup on Friday. It will be Mohammed Shami who will fill the vacant spot and that will help the Indian side to continue having four full-time fast bowlers in the 15-member squad. Former India batter Robin Uthappa feels that Shami and Arshdeep Singh are certain to get a spot in the playing XI and it will be a toss-up between Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel, in case India decide to play with three pure pacers.

Watch: Ravi Shastri, Adam Gilchrist Among High-Profile Names As ICC Introduces Commentary Panel For T20 World Cup

The Men's T20 World Cup got underway on Sunday with Group A clash between Sri Lanka and Namibia. Hours before the match, the International Cricket Council released the full list of commentators who would be calling the game as part of an intensive coverage for the tournament. The apex cricket body, in a post on their official Twitter handle released the list of commentators in a fun and quirky manner. The video starts off with Mel Jones talking with former Australia wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist.

T20 World Cup: Mohammed Shami has shown positive signs in his recovery, we couldn't have risked playing Jasprit Bumrah, says Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma on Saturday. Speaking at the captains' media interaction ahead of the T20 World Cup, Rohit gave an update on Shami, who has been drafted into the squad despite having not played a competitive game since July. "Shami had COVID two-three weeks ago. He was called to the NCA then, he worked hard for the last 10 days and he is in Brisbane. He will practice with us tomorrow," Rohit said.