ICC T20 World Cup 2022: Mohammed Shami replaces injured Jasprit Bumrah

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday announced seasoned senior seamer Mohammed Shami as the replacement for injured pacer Jasprit Bumrah in the Indian side for the upcoming T20 World Cup to be played in Australia from Sunday.

"The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Mohammed Shami as Jasprit Bumrah's replacement in India's ICC Men's T20 World Cup squad. Shami has reached Australia and will link up with the squad in Brisbane ahead of the warm-up matches,' Jay Shah (BCCI Secretary) was quoted as saying in a media release.

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Shami had always been the front-runner for Bumrah's replacement, while the same had previously been reported by PTI. In the meantime, pacers Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur have been announced as the reserve bowlers and would be travelling Down Under soon. The global event would run until November 13, where the hosts happen to be the defending champion for the first time.

Bumrah was ruled out of professional cricket indefinitely, having suffered a stress-related injury at his back. Shami had last played in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) in India's previous edition of the T20WC in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He was scheduled to be a part of Team India in the six home T20Is against Australia and South Africa.

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However, Shami tested COVID-19 positive and remained in isolation for a long time, and he also took a considerable time to recover from it. Following his return, he proved his fitness before the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru approved his journey to Australia. He has appeared in 17 T20Is for India, grabbing 18 wickets.

(With inputs from PTI)