Asia Cup 2023: Jasprit Bumrah’s return has made Indian team very strong, says Mohammed Shami

India’s experienced fast bowler Mohammed Shami reckons Jasprit Bumrah’s return has made the Indian team very strong. Bumrah recently made a return to International cricket in the three-match T20I series against Ireland, which India won by 2-0.

The gun fast bowler scalped four wickets in the two matches against the Irish team at an average of 9.75 and led from the front. Meanwhile, Bumrah made a comeback after September 2022, following his back injury.

Bumrah had to undergo a knife and he was recovering at the National Cricket Academy. After an impressive return against Ireland, the ace pacer was also added to the Asia Cup squad.

Jasprit Bumrah has picked up 121 wickets in 72 ODI matches at an average of 24.3 and an economy rate of 4.63.

“For a long time, we didn’t have Jassi (Bumrah), so we felt the loss of a good player like him. You sometimes feel like ‘I wish this player was there’, to make your combination set. So having Jassi, especially in the white-ball format, has made our bowling very strong. So you know having Jassi in the team has made us stronger, he’s looking fit and he’s playing well, hopefully, we have a good Asia Cup,” Mohammed Shami said in an interview with Star Sports.

India has a potent pace battery in Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah. Shami said the pace trio will look to give its 100% on the pitch to deliver the goods for the team.

“All three of us (Bumrah, Shami & Siraj) are bowling very well, so it depends on the management on who will play. There is only one goal, to go and give our 100%, the result will come running to us if we give our 100%. So it is very important to focus and execute, it’s a very simple plan,” Shami said.

Shami has scalped 162 wickets in 90 ODI matches at an average of 25.99 and thus he has all the experience under his belt.

India will begin their Asia Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele on September 2.