Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to name Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement in the T20 World Cup 2022 squad. While the board is expected to name the replacement this week, India's premier fast bowler Mohammed Shami has cleared fitness test at National Cricket Academy (NCA), a source told Sports Tak.
“When Shami came to NCA we started routine drills and his bowling in nets accordingly. He did well in the nets and cleared all test conducted,” the source said.
As per ICC guidelines, India need to announce Bumrah’s replacement till October 15.
Earlier, Shami was named in India’s T20I squad for home series against Australia and South Africa. However, the pacer contracted Covid-19 and could not play a single game.
Shami’s last T20I appearance was in T20 World Cup 2021. However, naming him in the T20I squad for home series meant that the 31-year-old was back in the scheme of things for the short format as well.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj has emerged as another option for India. Siraj was also named man of the series in the recently concluded ODI series against South Africa. Deepak Chahar could have been another option but he had stiffness in his back and was replaced by Washington Sundar for South Africa series. Chahar was also a part of the standbys for the mega event.
As India continue their search for Bumrah’s replacement, they have found a good new-bowling option in Arshdeep Singh. The left-arm pacer took three wickets for just six runs against Western Australia in the practice game.
Ahead of India’s campaign opener against arch-rivals Pakistan on October 23 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Rohit Sharma-led side will take on hosts Australia and New Zealand on October 17 and October 19 respectively in warm-up games.
