T20 World Cup 2022: Sunil Gavaskar picks Siraj ahead of Shami as Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement

Former Indian legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar has picked Mohammed Siraj ahead of Mohammed Shami as Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Siraj impressed in the recently concluded ODI series against South Africa, picking five wickets in three matches and earning his maiden Player of the Series award in the 50-overs version.

After Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the T20I series against South Africa due to a back injury, Mohammed Siraj replaced him in the squad but didn’t get a chance in the final XI.

On the other hand, Shami was added to India’s T20I squad for the series against Australia and South Africa but he could not take part in either of the series after testing positive for Covid-19.

In fact, Shami had last a T20I match back in the 2021 T20 World Cup whereas Siraj has the game time under his bag in the recent past. Furthermore, Shami hasn’t played any competitive cricket in the recent past.

“I’d go for Siraj because he has been bowling well; Shami has not played for a while. And to hit your steps straight away in a World Cup, yes, there are a couple of warm-up matches,” Gavaskar told Star Sports.

“As of now, nobody has been selected as the 15th player. I don’t know…has he gone with the team to Australia? He hasn’t gone. So he has played no cricket. And that’s a concern,” he added.

Meanwhile, Shami has all the experience under his belt but the fact that he hasn’t played much cricket in the recent past might work against him. However, he is also part of the standby players in the T20 World Cup squad.

​​“No doubting his quality. Just the fact that he (Shami) has not played any cricket. It’s never easy to come back after Covid. Your stamina can be a little bit of suspect – I know it’s a four-over game in T20I cricket. But look at the way Siraj has been bowling. He’s bowling brilliantly,” Gavaskar said.

The Indian selectors are yet to name a replacement for Jasprit Bumrah and it would be interesting to note their choice between Siraj and Shami. India will begin their campaign against Pakistan at the MCG on 23rd October.