'He can always step up and do job for India'- Saba Karim backs Mohammed Shami as Jasprit Bumrah's ideal replacement for T20 WC

Former India selector Saba Karim has backed senior pacer Mohammed Shami can be a good option to replace Jasprit Bumrah in the upcoming T20 World Cup after a back stress fracture reportedly ruled the latter out of the tournament. Shami has been included in the standby players' list in India's 15-member squad for the showpiece event. 

At the same time, Karim also made it clear that Jasprit Bumrah's absence will be felt by the Men in Blue as he is a unique bowler who has the potential to strike with the new ball and be very effective at the death too. The premier pacer had played the last two T20Is against Australia last week.

You need somebody at the top who can pick you wickets: Saba Karim

“Yes, he’s such a unique bowler. In the T20 format, you need someone who can bowl with the new ball and pick wickets and then can come back to finish his spell in the death overs. He’s extremely effective and plus his match awareness, he’s kind of part of the leadership group for the national side now. So yes, I think without him this will be a massive blow for India. But you know one can sense that the Indian team management and the Indian captain were kind of preparing for this. That’s why they thought of bringing in Mohammed Shami and they also have Deepak Chahar on stand-by. So, I think it’s good in a way that India played all these bilateral engagements without Jasprit Bumrah in the line-up," said Saba Karim while speaking on  SPORTS18’s daily sports news show ‘SPORTS OVER THE TOP’.

“I’ll go ahead with Mohammed Shami because he will find form although he hasn’t played but he’s that kind of bowler who once given an opportunity he can always step up and do the job for India. Plus, with this kind of experience, you need somebody at the top who can pick you wickets and you’ve seen Mohammed Shami in the last Indian T20 league, he’s such a bowler who can pick wickets with the new ball in the power play and India needs that. So, if Mohammed Shami can pick up early wickets with the new ball, that’s the kind of start India would need while defending the target or while trying to restrict the opposition from setting a huge target", he added.

Shami was very successful in the IPL 2022 where he finished with 20 wickets from 16 matches averaging 24.40 and an economy of eight for the new entrants Gujarat Titans as they went on to win their maiden title. Despite that, he was not in the Indian team management and the selectors' scheme of things in T20Is after and has not made an appearance in the same format after last year's T20 World Cup in the UAE.

His comeback was spoiled after being tested positive for COVID-19 during the home series against Australia and with him returning with a negative test report, it remains to be seen whether the seasoned speedster will get a chance in the next two T20Is against South Africa.