‘Won’t call him a perfect replacement for Bumrah’ – Suresh Raina on Mohammed Shami’s inclusion

Mohammed Shami has been named as the replacement of Jasprit Bumrah for the ongoing 20-20 World Cup 2022. The India Cricket Team management wanted the latter to get better for the showpiece event. However, the injury was so bad that it impossible for the Ahmedabad player to play the tournament. After this, the selectors decided to replace the right-arm pacer with Shami. Notably, the Amroha player hasn’t played a T20I in the 12 months.

Meanwhile, former India cricketer Suresh Raina has said that Shami won’t be a perfect replacement for Bumrah. Raina feels that players such as Bumrah and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja can’t be replaced easily as the duo are the consistent performers. For the unversed, Jadeja was ruled out of the World Cup due to a knee injury. The left-hander got injured during the Men Asia Cup 2022. He was replaced by Axar Patel, who also had made it to the World Cup squad.

“I would not call him a perfect replacement because you cannot replace Jasprit Bumrah or Ravindra Jadeja. They have played consistently for India and they have given performances,” Raina told NDTV.

Shami was the best option India had: Suresh Raina

On the other hand, the two-time World Championship winner has maintained that Shami was the best option India had. The former pointed out that Shami has performed well over the years and the India Cricket Board did well to consider him.

“But the best option you had, you have selected him. Shami has given good performances, he has been in good form. BCCI have done really well in sending the team to Australia 15 days prior to the tournament. The grounds are big, overall I think the preparation has been nice. We will need to play fearless cricket and show good intent,” he added.