Indian pace maestro Bumrah returned to the international setup only during the recent AUS T20Is that took place in September after spending months nursing his back spasms at NCA. The team management had allowed Jasprit Bumrah extra rest due to his importance for the 2022 T20 WC.
However, after bowling only 6 overs in the two T20Is that he played against the Kangaroos Bumrah’s back troubles returned.
On October 3, the BCCI officially ruled Jasprit Bumrah out of the T20 WC that is set to begin on 22 October.
Chahar the ideal Jasprit Bumrah replacement for the T20 WC, feels Jaffer
Cricket pundits, both national and foreign have shared their preferred option to replace Bumrah at the showpiece event.
Shane Watson had opined that there is no like-for-like replacement for Bumrah while picking Mohammad Siraj as his last-moment replacement. The suite was soon followed by commentator Ajey Jadeja.
Bret Lee, on the other hand, had recommended the Men in Blue to look no further than Mohammed Shami.
Now, former India opener Jaffer has hopped on the debate, snubbing both Shami and Siraj as the potential Jasprit Bumrah replacement for the all-important T20 WC.
Instead, Wasim Jaffer wants Deepak Chahar to be on the flight Down Under.
He quoted, “I probably see Deepak Chahar being the replacement. He is getting to play (in SA T20Is) and he is going to play again in the ODIs and it makes sense”.
Bowling aside, Chahar can also deliver with the bat as evident by his 31 off 17 against a potent SA attack, Jaffer added.
The former batting stalwart cited the lack of int’l games for Shami as a reason for not picking him as a replacement for Jasprit Bumrah at October’s T20 WC.
“If he (Shami) is selected, he would get a couple of practice games. But to put him straight into T20 World Cup without any match practice, it’ll be unfair. So, I think probably looks like Deepak Chahar might be that replacement” Wasim Jaffer said.
Notably, Chahar impressed with the ball in first 2 games vs South Africa and even did decently in the first 3 overs during the last T20I against them.
Regardless, the move to include Chahar may backfire as he lacks death bowling experience.