The former India coach Ravi Shastri believes that the squad will suffer without Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja at the T20 World Cup, but that there is also a chance to “unearth a new champion.”
Due to injury, Bumrah and Jadeja will both miss the championship match in Australia later this month.
Jadeja’s knee ailment forced him to withdraw from the World Cup, but Bumrah’s back issue has eliminated him from contention—a significant setback for India’s aspirations at the premier tournament.Shastri said at the launch of Coaching Beyond, his new project with B Arun and R Sridhar, “Bumrah not there, Jadeja not there – it hampers the side but it’s an opportunity to find a new champion.”
The harm to Bumrah is regrettable. People get hurt playing cricket since it is played so frequently. Although he is hurt, there is a chance for someone else. With injury, there is nothing you can do, he continued.Although Bumrah’s successor has not yet been announced, head coach Rahul Dravid has said Mohammad Shami may take Bumrah’s spot if he returns to full health following his recovery from concussion.
Shami hasn’t played competitive cricket since July and was forced to miss the six home games against Australia and South Africa due to covid. He is on the stand-by list for the ICC event alongside Deepak Chahar.But Shastri thinks India would gain from the senior pacers’ success and expertise in Australia.
“specifically, his background (in Australian conditions is his strength). India has travelled there frequently during the past six years, and he has played a key role on each of those excursions. As a result, achieving success in Australia qualifies as experience.”Despite the setbacks, the 60-year-old believes the Indian team has enough depth to advance far in the Australian event.
“I believe we have a strong team and enough strength. It could be anyone’s tournament if you go to the semi-finals.Therefore, the goal would be to get off to a strong start, advance to the semifinals, and then have enough strength to likely win the (World) Cup.
