'Mohammed Shami is back' - Fans over the moon as Mohammed Shami replaces Jasprit Bumrah vs Nepal in Asia Cup 2023

India are locking horns with Nepal in their second fixture of Asia Cup 2023 on Monday, September 04 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele. With heavy rains once again predicted throughout the game, India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bowl first this time. The Men in Blue have made one change to their playing XI with Mohammed Shami replacing Jasprit Bumrah, who has flown back to India for the birth of his first child.

Notably, the team management was heavily criticised by fans for benching Shami in India’s opening fixture against Pakistan and selecting seam all rounder Shardul Thakur ahead of him. Thakur didn’t leave any impact with the bat as he got dismissed after scoring just three runs. He further didn’t get any chance to bowl as the match got washed out in the second innings.

Shami has been in terrific form off late as he finished as the highest wicket-taker of the IPL 2023 with 28 scalps to his name from 17 matches at an average of 18.64. The 32-year-old had been the leader of India’s pace attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah from 2022 onwards and has scalped 14 wickets since last year.

Bumrah welcomes baby boy with adorable post

Meanwhile, Bumrah shared the news of the birth of his baby boy earlier in the day with an adorable picture on his Instagram handle. He also revealed the name of his child ‘Angad Jasprit Bumrah’ and expressed his excitement for the new chapter of his life.

Bumrah wrote on Instagram, “Our little family has grown & our hearts are fuller than we could ever imagine! This morning we welcomed our little boy, Angad Jasprit Bumrah into the world. We are over the moon and can’t wait for everything this new chapter of our lives brings with it ❤️ Jasprit and Sanjana.”

The speedster will join the team back in the Super 4 stages of the ongoing Asia Cup which begins from Wednesday, September 06.

Meanwhile, X was abuzz with reactions on Shami's inclusion in the team. Here are some of the posts:

Rohit replaced BUMRAH to sami

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj#IndvsNep pic.twitter.com/llFxGPDrTE

— Sneha Singh Chandel🇮🇳 (@sneha_raj15) September 4, 2023

Match 5 in Asia Cup 2023. #INDvNEP
India won the toss and elected to field.. Only one change in #IndianCricketTeam.
Mohammed #Shami plays in place of Jasprit Bumrah.
#AsiaCup #AsiaCup2023. #Bumrah pic.twitter.com/2Z98NFuJmF

— Bharat Verma 🇮🇳 (@Imbharatverma) September 4, 2023

Mohammed Shami is back!#IndvsNep #JaspritBumrah #Shami pic.twitter.com/Y8YvabGIt7

— tecnology A (@AjayAjayor34140) September 4, 2023

Mohammed Shami has replaced Jasprit Bumrah. Shami playing today in the 11#INDvNEP #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/TWFghLCg4h

— Himanshu Ladha (@HimanshuLadha8) September 4, 2023

Mohammed Shami replaces Jasprit Bumrah in India's XI as they opt to bowl against Nepal#INDvNEP #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/yWs37dioro

— Sohaib Zafar (@_SohaibZafar) September 4, 2023

Mohammed Shami replace Jasprit Bumrah in India's playing XI#AsiaCup2023 #CricketTwitter #IndvsNep #AsiaCup #JaspritBumrah #shami pic.twitter.com/60HemKXfl7

— Alpha Sports (@alpha_X22) September 4, 2023

Mohammed Shami replace Jasprit Bumrah in India's playing 11#AsiaCup2023 #INDvNEP pic.twitter.com/rf3t3Zot54

— CricketPage🏏 (@CricPage1) September 4, 2023

Mohammed Shami replace Jasprit Bumrah in India's playing XI.#MohammedShami #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/lhsGwE1po3

— TheCric_Zone (@PrateekTel90168) September 4, 2023