Team India premier paceman Japrit Bumrah will lead the national team in the upcoming T20I series against Ireland. Indian cricket fans have been waiting to watch Bumrah in action for a long time as the right-arm pacer has missed a substantial amount of time due to injury. As Bumrah's return to the national team nears, there is a palpable amount of excitement among the ardent followers of the sport.
Former India India batter Mohammad Kaif also considers Bumrah as one of the key players in the Indian setup, especially with the ODI World Cup scheduled to be played later in the year. Kaif said that Bumrah's real challenge will come during the 2023 Asia Cup and that tournament will ascertain the fitness of the right-arm pacer.
"It will depend on the players who are injured. Bumrah, I think, will be the key if he comes back fully fit. How fit is he we will get to know in Asia Cup. He is going to Ireland right now. So, I am going to see his bowling. If Bumrah is fully fit then India will be a strong side at home," Kaif said on the sidelines of Pitchside-My Life in Indian Cricket book launch.
Pestered by the recurring back injury, Bumrah has been sidelined for almost a year which has cost India big time in the mega events including the recent WTC final. Bumrah's absence has hurt India not just in the WTC final but also in last year's Asia Cup and T20 World Cup.
Kaif reckons that if Bumrah is close to his 100 per cent then the Men in Blue will have a great chance of winning the World Cup on home soil but if the pacer doesn't play, then Kaif believes India might end up losing.
"50-over is a different format. In Australia, it was a T20 format which we played but India play well against Pakistan. They always play well in ICC events, they have a good record against Pakistan. At the moment India is not looking the strongest on paper because they are missing the key players. We are missing KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant. The biggest factor is Bumrah. If he does not make a comeback then India will have to work harder. We still do not have Bumrah's backup. If Bumrah does not play then we can lose. We will have problems before World Cup," Kaif said.
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