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

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.

Jasprit Bumrah (AFP Photo)Bumrah was officially ruled out of the T20 World Cup with a back injury on October 3. As per the BCCI, the decision was taken following a detailed assessment and in consultation with specialists. Bumrah was initially ruled out of the three-match T20I series against South Africa, which India won 2-1, with a back injury. BCCI's medical team ruled out Bumrah from the mega event a day before the third and final T20I against the Proteas. India are yet to name an official replacement for Bumrah for the T20 World Cup. In Bumrah's absence the role that the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel and Arshdeep Singh, who are part of the World Cup squad, will play becomes much more important. Though Bhuvi is quite experienced, there is no fast bowling spearhead as such. Mohammed Shami, from the stand-by list is the favourite to be named official replacement for Bumrah. But Shami himself hasn't been a 100% and missed the home series vs