Wasim Jaffer: “Deepak Chahar should replace Jasprit Bumrah.”
Former India batsman Wasim Jaffer believes Deepak Chahar should substitute Jasprit Bumrah in India’s T20 World Cup lineup. Bumrah was pulled out of the tournament due to a back issue, which also kept him out of the Asia Cup earlier this month.
Chahar made an impression on the leadership during the recent T20I series against South Africa. Given his recent achievements during India’s 2-1 series triumph over the Proteas, Jaffer believes Chahar should be given the nod over Mohammed Shami.
“I think, I probably see Deepak Chahar being the replacement because he is getting to play and he is going to play again in the ODIs and it makes sense, he is somebody who is bowling well and he is someone who can contribute with the bat as well. He is a quality new-ball bowler and I do not think he lacks variation. If you give him the odd over at the death, he can do something about it,” Jaffer told reporters.
Deepak Chahar performed admirably with both the bat and the ball in India’s three-match T20 series against South Africa. In the first T20I, he grabbed two wickets for 24 runs and then scored 31 runs from 17 balls at No. 9 in the final game.
Shami hasn’t played competitive cricket in quite some time, according to the local cricket icon, and it would be unjust to throw him into the T20 World Cup right away. “Shami has not played any cricket, so putting him straight into the T20 World Cup squad will be unjust. If he is chosen, he will have a few of practise games, but throwing him into the T20 World Cup without any match preparation will be unfair. So it appears that Deepak Chahar may be that successor,” he continued.
Shami, who was meant to participate in the T20I matches against Australia and South Africa but was unable to do so owing to a positive COVID-19 test, last played for India on July 17 against England at Old Trafford. While Chahar, one of the four backups along with Shami, featured in the T20I series against South Africa, he will now also play in ODIs.
