Shami replaces Bumrah in India's T20 World Cup squad

Fast bowler Mohammed Shami has replaced injured Jasprit Bumrah in India’s T20 World Cup squad, the Board of Control for Cricket in India said on Friday.

Shami has already landed in Australia and will join the Indian team in Brisbane for two warmup matches against Australia and New Zealand next week.

Bumrah was ruled out of the tournament earlier this month because of a back injury.
India will open its T20 World Cup campaign against rival Pakistan on Oct. 23 at Melbourne and also has South Africa, Bangladesh and two qualifiers in its group.

Two more fast bowlers Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Siraj were named as reserves and the BCCI said both will fly out to Australia shortly.

Shami has experience of playing in Australia and was India’s second highest wicket-taker during the ODI World Cup in 2019. The right-arm fast bowler was due to play in the home T20 series against Australia and South Africa last month but pulled out after he tested positive for COVID-19.

He hasn’t played a T20 international in almost a year since claiming six wickets in five games during the last T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

India’s pace attack will be led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar with Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel and allrounder Hardik Pandya as other options.

Associated Press