Jasprit Bumrah con Mohammed Shami es lo que la India necesita; Rohit Sharma necesita deshacerse de Mohammad Siraj

Es muy fácil volverse demasiado dependiente de alguien como Jasprit Bumrah. Después de todo, tiene todas las cualidades que debería tener un marcapasos moderno. Él es simplemente mágico.

The ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) has spotlighted a pressing issue in Indian cricket: the overdependence on Jasprit Bumrah. Heavy reliance over Bumrah is bound to happen as he is a class above everyone else. While Bumrah has been India’s standout performer with the ball, consistently striking crucial blows in almost his every spell, the absence of a reliable partner has been glaring. Mohammed Siraj has not been an answer so far. Harshit Rana has not been an answer so far. Akash Deep has lacked luck. Then whose remaining? Mohammed Shami is the answer. The experienced campaigner with a proven track record in Australia is fit and back in domestic action, yet the team management has chosen caution over action.

BGT: Jasprit Bumrah, take a bow

Jasprit Bumrah has easily carried the Indian bowling attack throughout the BGT 2024 on his shoulders. From his five-wicket haul in Perth (as a skipper) to consistent dismissals of the Australian openers across the series, Bumrah has once again proven why he is India’s premier pacer. Just look at his stats in the series so far. The lad averages a mere 12.17, which is absolutely insane in Test cricket. He is taking a wicket every 27.8 balls, always keeping Australian batters on their toes.

Player	Inns	Overs	Wkts	BBI	Ave	Econ	SR
Jaspri Bumrah	5	79	17	5/30	12.17	2.62	27.88
Mitchell Starc	4	65.1	11	6/48	21.18	3.57	35.54
Pat Cummins	4	66.4	10	5/57	25.1	3.76	40
Mohammed Siraj	5	71.1	9	4/98	27.44	3.47	47.44

As of 1st innings of 3rd BGT Test

However, the over-reliance on him is a double-edged sword. Despite Mohammed Siraj’s potential, he has yet to deliver impactful spells or take on the role of a matchwinner in the ongoing series. Bumrah needs a reliable ally to share the workload and maintain pressure on the opposition—a role tailor-made for Mohammed Shami.

Why India need Mohammed Shami at BGT

Shami’s continuous exclusion from the BGT squad following his recovery from an ankle injury has been highly debated. While some agree with the management over the cautious approach, others have been adamant that India need him. The pacer, known for his ability to seam the ball at pace and extract movement on most of the decks, has a stellar record in Australia. In eight Tests Down Under, Shami has claimed 31 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls, at an average of 32.16. His 31 wickets is the most by an Indian pacer in Australia after Kapil Dev (51) and Bumrah (49).

With Shami back in domestic cricket, showing no signs of discomfort, it is perplexing that India hasn’t recalled him. At the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), Shami bowled 35.3 of the 36 overs available to him. He wasn’t that rusty with the ball too, taking 11 wickets at an economy rate of 7.85.